Appreciative Intelligence: Seeing the Mighty Oak in the Acorn

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.

With a nod to Howard Gardner's ideas on multiple intelligences, Thatchenkery (organizational learning, George Mason U.) and Metzker (M.S.) introduce appreciative intelligence as the ability to perceive positive potential. Drawing on neuroscience and interviews with people with innovative solutions, they treat the reality-reframing concept in areas as diverse as technological advances and Middle East peace. Exercises for assessing, and tools for developing, appreciative intelligence are included. The publisher notes that the book is on the 2006 reading list of Harvard Business Review. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)