What People Are Saying About this Class andBob Siegfried

"The Appreciative Inquiry class with Bob Siegfried has had a profound and lasting impact on my approach to coaching. Of all coaching classes, this is the one you can not allow yourself to miss." Anette Due Rosenzweig, Life Coach

"Bob did a marvelous job of re-framing coaching through the lens of positive inquiry. This course is a must for anyone interested in bringing aboard appreciative inquiry tools to their coaching practice. Bob uses a variety of resources including live coaching sessions, group participation, after class sessions (for those who wanted to probe deeper) and extensive reading materials and forums to post comments, ideas and inquiries." A Fleming, JD, Executive Coach

"Bob's Appreciative Inquiry Coaching class was one of my more favorite and beneficial classes. He gave a great overview of the AI concepts while offering new coaching techniques that I continue to use today." Karen Poole

"To be given the opportunity to view life experiences as Stories -- ones that can be reshaped, re-worded and remembered in ways that nurture us forward -- is a gift. Incorporating Appreciative Inquiry Principles are a blueprint to having this gift, and Bob's course clearly takes us from theory to practice with a spirit of generosity (and plenty of humor!)." Naomi Zemont, Ph.D, CMC Mentor Coach Trainer Team, Resources

"Bob Siegfried ia a master of Appreciative Living, Not only does he understand it, but he truly lives the work. His extensive knowledge and practice of it incombination with his engaging presentation style makes him one of the best teachers out there. If you get an opportunity to take one of his classes, do it!" Jackie Kelm, Author & Founder, Appreciative Living, LCC, www.appreciative living.com, Author or Appreciative Living: The Principles of Appreciative Living in Everyday Life.

What is Appreciative Inquiry? Appreciative Inquiry is the study and exploration of what gives life to human systems when they function at their best. It's also a set of principles and guidelines for change work with personal change and organizational change is based on the assumption that questions and dialogue about strengths, successes, values, hopes, and dreams are themselves transformational. In short, Appreciative Inquiry suggests that human organizing and change, at its best, is a relationship process of inquiry, grounded in affirmation and appreciation. (Diana Whitney & Amanda Trosten-Bloom: The Power of Appreciative Inquiry, Berrett-Koehler 2003)

The Appreciative Inquiry Coaching Master Class:
Conversations that Matter:
Learning Objectives

In this hands-on, minds-on class you will:

• Learn how to use Appreciative Inquiry in coaching for
  • identifying a positive change agenda,
  • reframing deficit-based thinking patterns into appreciative thinking patterns,
  • moving from reaction to self-direction,
  • locating unique strengths and associating them with strong positive emotions,
  • creating valued, vivid, vital, and vibrant images of desired futures,
  • developing strategies and identifying resources for moving forward into those futures
  • fulfilling a positive change agenda by enacting--in the present--images and visions of a desired future.
• Develop skills needed to construct effective Appreciative Inquiry (AI) questions.
• Learn the Principles of AI and how to put them to work for you and your clients.
• Experiment with several models for engaging you and your clients in the AI process.
• Learn about the research on which AI is based.
• Access a vast array of AI resources to support you in your work.

The Appreciative Inquiry Coaching Master Class:
Conversations that Matter:
Learning Strategies

• Read and discuss case studies and other narratives about real-world uses of Appreciative Inquiry and how AI can work in tandem with approaches to positive, solution-focused change.
• Review Power-Point presentations on the various topics covered in the course
• Explore and discuss the use of in your own life and in your conversations with your clients.
• Post your reflections to an online journal and read and comment on the reflections of others.
• Participate in optional bonus classes and interviews with AI practitioners as they discuss their experiences with AI and share their perspectives on its use of in coaching.
• Participate in an optional Practitioners' support (small group, first come first served) teleconference that begins after the second or third class meeting. Practice and receive feedback on new skills and extend your understanding of Ai.

The Appreciative Inquiry Coaching Master Class:
Conversations that Matter:
Instructor: Bob Siegfried, Ph.D.

Dr. Siegfried first encountered Appreciative Inquiry (AI) in the mid 1990's, while teaching, coaching, and consulting in the areas of technology innovation, planning, and human organization science. Seeing people flounder in the deficit-based, command-and-control approaches to change so prevalent in the lives and working environments of his clients, Bob scouted out new approaches to change work that would help his clients flourish. When he came across new and emerging paradigms, he put them to the test in real world environments. Those he found to have the greatest potential he incorporated into his practice, including Appreciative Inquiry, Narrative Practices, and subsequently Positive Psychology and Solution-Focused practices.

Throughout his professional career, Bob’s colleagues, students, workshop participants, and clients alike have consistently commented on his warmth, his respect for them and their ideas, his playfulness, and his ability to communicate clearly. (MentorCoach founder Ben Dean recently referred to Bob as someone who “can make the ineffable effable.”)

In addition work his work with individuals, Bob has consulted to, and designed and delivered programs for a numerous organizations, including World Bank • General Motors • National Institutes of Health • Villanova University • Southern Regional Education Board • AICPA • Executive Technology Associates • Radnor School District • ASPA • Corporation for Public and Private Ventures • Riggs Bank • General Electric • Carnegie Mellon University • Medical College of Pennsylvania  • Touche Ross • Verizon • and a number of for profit and not for profit organizations.

Bob has worked professionally as psychologist, consultant, educator, counselor-educator, manager, trainer and personal and professional coach.  Several years ago, he reframed his own professional life, moving from full-time professor/part-time practitioner to full-time practitioner/part-time professor.

Interested in pretty much everything, Bob is particularly interested in his family, making music with friends, fly-fishing, exploring things natural, and tinkering about the Harmonyville, PA country home he shares with his wife Lisa, a cat, and the occasional country critter brave enough to risk sneaking into the house.

Appreciative Inquiry Coaching in Action:
Interview and Demonstration

Bob Siegfried
is Interviewed by and coaches Ann Marie Mckelvey
(Recorded live, February 6, 2008.)

Use the control bars below (A) to listen as Bob and Ann Marie discuss Appreciative Inquiry and (B) to listen as Bob uses an Appreciative Inquiry lens as he coaches Ann Marie.
 

Ap-pre’ci-ate, v., 1. valuing; the act of recognizing the best in people or the world around us; affirming past and present strengths, successes, and potentials; to perceive those things that give life (health, vitality, excellence) to living systems 2. to increase in value, e.g. the economy has appreciated in value. Synonyms: VALUING, PRIZING, ESTEEMING, and HONORING.

In-quire’ (kwir), v., 1. the act of exploration and discovery. 2. To ask questions; to be open to seeing new potentials and possibilities. Synonyms: DISCOVERY, SEARCH, and SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION, STUDY.

from A Positive Revolution in Change: Appreciative Inquiry by David L. Cooperrider and Diana Whitney.