New Superpower: Appreciative Intelligence
Sarah Jons 
Appreciative Intelligence: Praise them like you should. Recognition and praise are the rocket fuel for the soul; the basis of a new superpower.
Appreciative Intelligence: Praise them like you should. Recognition and praise are the rocket fuel for the soul; the basis of a new superpower.
We've come a long, long way together, Through the hard times and the good. I have to celebrate you baby, I have to praise you like I should. – Fat Boy Slim
You may remember the story of a President Kennedy’s visit to the NASA Space Centre in 1962. Allegedly he noticed a cleaner carrying a broom (seems unlikely, but let’s continue with the metaphor). He interrupted his tour, walked over to the man and said, ‘Hi, I’m Jack Kennedy. What are you doing?’
‘Well, Mr. President,’ the cleaner quickly responded, ‘I’m helping put a man on the moon’
I love this story because (even if it isn’t true*) it highlights the true team ethos that was developed by NASA. The cleaner understood the importance of his contribution. He truly felt he was a valuable part of something bigger than himself and his attitude created a feeling of self-confidence in his mission. He wasn’t merely a cleaner; he was a member of the 1962 NASA Space Team. Certainly the details are likely apocryphal, but sometime in the 60's at the Space Centre in Houston was a cleaner, or receptionist, a cook, or a purchasing agent who felt as though their small effort was part of the larger team contributing to something phenomenal.
It turns out that great leaders (including JFK) all have (had) a superpower: Appreciative Intelligence. They have the rare ability to see the mighty oak in the tiny acorn. Successful leaders and innovators I have met, see more than a acorn that some of us might just step over.They see the possibilities for a strong, healthy tree with future generations of oaks and acorns.
Leaders often talk of the challenge of motivating and inspiring people in their business, organisation or company. However there is new research highlighting the way ahead for all business leaders. When we receive an authentic compliment, we all experience an inner glow (some people cannot accept compliments, but that is another story). It's a warm, magical feeling that makes us break into a smile. It makes us want to go the extra mile for the person who bestowed that sincere compliment. It is an ability to give praise that is interesting scientists.
Researchers Professor Tojo Thatchenkery and Carol Metzker, found that individuals with Appreciative Intelligence can reframe situations quicker, appreciate the positive in others (and give praise) and see how the future works from the present moment. Their brilliant book is called “Appreciative Intelligence: Seeing the mighty oak in the acorn".
You may have heard of Emotional Intelligence and Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. In a way, Appreciative Intelligence is the first cousin of Emotional Intelligence and Appreciative Inquiry. Appreciative Intelligence and Appreciative Inquiry are not the same things, although they both focus on what is valuable or positive. Appreciative inquiry is a model for analysis, decision-making and the creation of strategic change.
Appreciative Intelligence has widespread potential to be amazing, powerful toolfor both large and small businesses. Tojo’s research demonstrated four consistent traits of AI leaders:
- Persistence,
- Belief and actions matter,
- Tolerance for uncertainty, and
- Resilience.
The 2104 entrepreneurial environment has begun to facilitate the full expression ofAppreciative Intelligence. Seeing a situation from multiple perspectives allows the tuned-in entrepreneur to deal with obstacles with courage and resilience. They quickly reframe situations and recognise opportunities and act decisively to transform their dreams into reality.
They can see how their desired future will happen, which gives them the capacity to face future adversity with resilience. High-level Appreciative Intelligencepredisposes leaders to see the bigger picture and make the connections between diverse elements. That was the legendary ability of Steve Jobs to ‘join the dots’. He actually said,
‘You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.’
Those like Jobs, with strong Appreciative Intelligence seem to display the following skills or qualities:
- The ability to reframe quickly – seeing situations, people or things in a new way – so that something good is visible and can be encouraged.
- The ability to see what is good now it can grow into a great future (see also Edit and Amplify).
- The ability to appreciating what is good in an individual or situation and telling them so (praise).
What I love about this model is the beginnings of a science of appreciation; authentically telling people, so they know that their work, no matter how far removed they are from the top of the pyramid, are important to the organisation (remember the NASA cleaner from earlier). It is about making everyone feel like an owner and helping them understand how their work contributes to the overall purpose of the company.Studies have proven that your brain lights up when it hears your name and some praise. If you start to use people’s names not as a greeting, but in the middle of your praise message, it becomes more personal and less likely to be ignored.
Appreciative Intelligence acknowledges that there are some powerful words that have a massive impact on others. These work by directly inspiring and motivating your staff or team. You could use this as part as your journey to Excellence, always.
You (note it’s use in this paragraph) by the way, is one of the most powerful word in the English language and probably, (when translated) the most powerful words inevery language.
Then you should introduce in to your language of praise, the word because, which always precedes a proof point. It means you are backing up what you have to say with concrete facts, which makes it more credible and more powerful in prompting repeat behaviour.
Now you can be really old school and actually say thank you. You may be surprised how few people actually use the word thanks, or thank you.
Finally use the word results. Using this word shows that the action your employee did something that had a measurable impact and that you recognise their hard work in pursuit of that outcome. Try prefixing praise statements with these great AI words (and yes they can be repeated):
Great Words for Praising Effort
Passionate, resilient, resourceful, powerful, focus, outstanding, determined, overcome, achievement, generate, develop, design, accomplish, discipline, creative, triumph, complete, stunning, proud, masterpiece, conquest, initiative, delivery, powerhouse.
Great Words for Praising Quality
Excellence, always; curious, innovative, unique, passionate, powerful, challenging, brilliant, exceptional, striking, aware, brilliant, elegant, eloquent, intuitive, strong, outstanding, talent, distinctive, enabler, curator, stylish, editor.
Great Words for Praising Attitude
Passionate, positive, persistence, tenacity, thoughtful, inspired, responsible, creative, energetic, enthusiastic, motivated, dedicated, innovative, vibrant, wisdom, flexible, versatile, consistent, considerate, commitment, confidence, compassionate, teacher.
Great Words for Praising Leadership
Passionate, appreciative intelligence, courageous, caring, exceptional, capable,entrepreneurial, awareness, collaborative, extra-ordinary, innovative, strategy, planning, delivery, communicative, visionary, charismatic, dynamic, impressive, involved, above and beyond.
By using this powerful language, taking time to praise and appreciating others we change everything. Using the framework of Appreciative Intelligence it will develop new leaders. It provides an exciting answer to what enables successful people to dream up their extraordinary and innovative ideas. Why employees, partners, colleagues and all stakeholders follow them, on different, innovative paths to new goals; how they achieve these goals despite obstacles and challenges. It begins to explain why authentic praise works.
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
People with Appreciative Intelligence are realistic and action focused. They have the ability to identify positive potential and to devise a course of action to take advantage of it.
Appreciative Intelligence is a mental ability found in top leaders throughout history. Imagine if all leaders in an organisation proactively and mindfully practicedAppreciative Intelligence and praised people? What would be the profound impact that this would have on an organisation's culture? Such a culture could skyrocket employees' motivation and inspire innovation. It is all about practicing Being Amazing Every Day and the skills of Appreciative Intelligence. Excellence, always involves everyone.
*Snopes says: Doubtful. The is an old story, re-told; from Christopher Wren and St. Paul's Cathedral, but the story probably goes back to the pyramids or maybe a Sumerian ziggurat. It is unlikely because cleaning crews work late at night, when there are fewer people around, and areas can be closed off for cleaning. I imagine NASA never really sleeps, but trying to get things done in the middle of a Presidential visit seems a little futile to me. In fact, I would think the cleaning would have been done before the President got there.Secondly, nobody cleans a floor feverishly. If you care anything about the job, you clean the floor methodically. That's why you're not going to see a janitor moving quickly while cleaning a floor. It just stirs up the dirt and makes you miss areas…..
I have to celebrate you baby, I have to praise you like I should. – Fat Boy Slim
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