New Book by Leadership Experts at LTU and NextMove.is Reveals Simple Acts that Improve the Outcomes of Every Conversation
LAMBERTVILLE, Mich. (PRWEB) May 22, 2018 -- Conversations. They hold the power to transform pretty much anything.
A negative conversation can destroy relationships in businesses, families, and communities. On the other hand, positive conversations at work can fuel productivity, creativity, positive energy, and engagement. At home, they can deepen relationships, empower family members to thrive, and make us happier.
Even though we have conversations all day long—many of us may not realize the effect our words are having. Assumptions and tone get in the way (EVEN if we say the right things).
In "Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement" published by Berrett-Koehler and released today, authors Jackie Stavros, professor at Lawrence Technological University, and Cheri Torres, senior consultant at NextMove.is, leverage their combined fifty years of experience with decades of scientific research to illustrate simple ways to make every conversation productive and meaningful – anytime, anywhere, and in any situation.
The book is available on Amazon and at major booksellers.
"Conversations Worth Having" is the first book to leverage the power of the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach in everyday conversations—within our organizations, communities, homes, and schools. It shows how AI’s two foundational practices—framing conversations positively and asking productive (generative) questions—can shift attitudes, creatively resolve issues, and invite people to show up and engage. (The founder of AI, David Cooperrider, wrote the Introduction for the book.)
Organizations like Google, Accenture, Wal-Mart, John Deere, and Verizon, can attest to AI’s transformative power.
"Conversations Worth Having" has already received rave reviews:
• “A must read for all leaders. Jackie and Cheri provide practical wisdom and just the right amount of science from the fields of Appreciative Inquiry and positive psychology. This book demonstrates how conversations determine the well-being of team members and the organization’s capacity to flourish. I will pass it on to my teams, family and friends.”—Robert Easton, Senior Managing Director, Accenture
• “'Conversations Worth Having' is exceptional! It's easy to read, relatable, and absolutely relevant. Ground breaking! Jackie and Cheri provide a comprehensive approach to improving communication in any setting. Read this book if you want to be a great leader.” —Lloyd Beal III, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army
• “Jackie and Cheri really show how we can truly change the world one conversation at a time. Through their effective use of storytelling, you learn how to apply Appreciative Inquiry to engage in conversations designed to generate new ideas, create energy, and result in positive outcomes!” —Lori Marsee Kuehn, Senior Manager, General Motors Company
• “This short book is a rare gem -- entertaining, relevant, educational, and immensely practical. Jackie and Cheri synthesize vast amounts of research and years of their own practice, into powerful stories on how to use Appreciative Inquiry for effective daily conversation.” —Maureen McKenna, Founder, Return on Energy, Canada
"Conversations Worth Having" uses real-life examples and simple exercises to make its two practices and principles easy-to-understand and easy to do. Readers can try them in their next conversation!
As the authors put it, “One of the most exciting things about life is the power of a single conversation to make a significant positive difference. We invite you to join us in creating a positive change in your life and work by engaging in conversations worth having.”
Stavros and Torres are internationally recognized for their work with AI. They have positively affected the lives of thousands of people and helped hundreds of organizations.
To learn more visit http://www.conversationsworthhaving.today.
About the authors
Jackie Stavros is a professor at College of Management, Lawrence Technological University; Appreciative Inquiry strategic advisor at Flourishing Leadership Institute; and an associate at Taos Institute. She works across all sectors and in a variety of industries in leadership development, strategic planning, organization development, and change using Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and SOAR. She has presented her research and work and trained others in AI and SOAR in over 25 countries.
Cheri Torres is a senior consultant at NextMove.is, partner at Innovation Partners International, and an associate at the Taos Institute. She works with organizations in every sector to support effective leadership, team excellence, and culture change. She has trained thousands of trainers and teachers in the use and practice of Appreciative Inquiry and Appreciative Facilitation.
Whitney Heins, Weaving Influence, http://www.weavinginfluence.com, +1 865-360-5981, [email protected]
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