Appreciative Intelligence: Seeing the Mighty Oak in the Acorn [Hardcover]

Tojo Thatchenkery (Author), Carol Metzker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2006

The secret to success lies in something that everyone has the ability to do: reframe reality to reveal the hidden potential within even the most apparently unpromising present. "Appreciative Intelligence marks the first time that this ability has been rigorously investigated. Arguing that the keys to Appreciative Intelligence are revealing the hidden value in others and building an infrastructure, environment, or culture that spreads the leader's Appreciative Intelligence, Tojo Thatchenkery and Carol Metzker draw on real-life examples and thorough interviews with top executives to identify actual examples of this elusive ability. Through these examples they show how a knack for creatively dealing with unexpected situations is the common bond between a diverse range of success stories. The authors also show that time and time again, an understanding of Appreciative Intelligence leads to organizations that enjoy higher levels of innovation, more productive employees, greater ability to adapt to changes, and, ultimately, greater profit.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"In this thought-provoking and lucidly written book, Thatchenkery and Metzker provide a compelling justification for the notion of ‘Appreciative Intelligence.’ This is what endows successful leaders with the qualities of persistence, conviction, comfort with uncertainty, and resilience to overcome challenges. This book is a must-read for all those grappling with the issue of leadership in a dynamic, complex, and confusing world." —Dr. V. Nilakant, Associate Dean, Faculty of Commerce, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

"Thatchenkery and Metzker see enormous potential in all of us to create new and more promising futures, and this work invites us all to share the same inspiring vision. It is a vision I find enormously compelling and for which we should all be appreciative." —Kenneth J. Gergen, Mustin Professor of Psychology, Swarthmore College

"Appreciative Intelligence is a book and an idea that opens new possibilities for seeing how people and organizations create value and achieve success. Appreciative Intelligence is an inspiring and practical account of how to develop the capacity to see potential within the present and to develop this capacity within oneself and in others." —Jane E. Dutton, William Russell Kelly Professor of Business Administration and Professor of Psychology, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan

"Stunning! Going one step beyond appreciative inquiry, Thatchenkery and Metzker have made an exciting contribution to the new field of positive organizational scholarship. This book will forever change how you think about intelligence." —Robert Kramer, PhD, and Director, Executive Education Programs, American University

About the Author

Tojo Thatchenkery is currently the Associate Professor of Organizational Learning at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. and holds a Ph.D. in organisational behavior from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Carol Metzker has a Masters degree in Organisational learning from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and has over 15 years experience in communications and corporate environments.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 214 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; Annotated edition (May 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576753530
• ISBN-13: 978-1576753538
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Building on the Mighty Legacy of Appreciative Inquiry, Thought, and Action, July 22, 2006

By 

Harry S. Jonas (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Appreciative Intelligence: Seeing the Mighty Oak in the Acorn (Hardcover)

In a remarkable turn of events, this week's Fortune magazine cover article highlights the ways that former GE CEO Jack Welch's management maxims, once taken as gospel by leaders around the world, are now being questioned and even rejected. Welch is credited with reinvigorating Six Sigma, the penultimate tool set for organizational improvement. It's probably no coincidence that Tojo Thatchenkery and Carol Metzker's new book on Appreciative Intelligence (Seeing the Mighty Oak in the Acorn) should emerge at the same time to offer a powerful alternative to traditional forms of management thinking that have spawned problem solving, "forced ranking," and other deficit-oriented approaches to organizational change.
Appreciative Intelligence is defined by the authors (full disclosure: Thatchenkery and I were in graduate school together nearly twenty years ago but have had virtually no contact since then) as consisting of three components: reframing, appreciating the positive, and seeing how the future unfolds from the present. The book is full of wonderful case examples, both for-profit and non-profit settings, of how the principles of Appreciative Intelligence can be understood and practiced. There are simple methods for profiling one's own levels of Appreciative Intelligence, awareness and action.
While researchers will find several chapters digging into the biological basis for Appreciative Intelligence of considerable academic interest, probably the biggest payoff of this book for organizational practitioners is the last chapter on how to apply the principles to employee development efforts. As the process owner for career development within a major global technology company, this book provides powerful support for continuing to find ways to build on the internal talent that many companies and organizations possess by focusing on future potential - seeing the mighty oak in the acorn - and helping to realize that potential in ways that benefit the individual and the enterprise.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Want to Bring Out the Best in Your Organization and Yourself, Buy This Book!, July 9, 2006

By 

Merianne Liteman "Co-Author of Retreats That ... - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Appreciative Intelligence: Seeing the Mighty Oak in the Acorn (Hardcover)

When you search for problems, you find problems.. You and your organization can get mired in negativity. On the other hand, if you seek and tap into what's positive in individuals and organizations, you focus on possibilities and potential -- the oak in the acorn. Thatchenkery and Metzker have drawn a roadmap to discovering and nurturing the best in people (including yourself) and organizations by encouraging four qualities - persistence, conviction that one's actions matter, tolerance for uncertainty and irrepressible resilience. Their well-written, timely, and compelling book will prove useful for organization development professionals, human resource specialists, and executives alike who want to foster excellence not only in their organization but also in themselves.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful message and tools for [agile] leaders, September 13, 2006

By 

Sanjiv Augustine (Annandale, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Appreciative Intelligence: Seeing the Mighty Oak in the Acorn (Hardcover)

This a book with a fresh, powerful message and tools for leaders everywhere. It is especially valuable in the Agile community where we are trying to clearly define and capture what leadership and innovation mean on Agile projects.

I found myself drawn in page after page as stories of "reframing", "appreciating the positive", and "seeing how the future unfolds from the present" unfolded to to articulate the contruct (not concept) of Appreciative Intelligence.

In my opinion, the latter half of the book is better suited for those interested in practical application. Also be warned that the considerable erudition of the authors shows up in a flood of references that might slow down your reading.

All in all, a great book with fresh thinking and tools for those interested in leadership and innovation.

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