Asset Based Thinking A concept closely aligned with Appreciative Inquiry A concept closely aligned with Appreciative Inquiry

Two Approaches to Change/Innovation PROBLEM BASED identify problem conduct analysis brainstorm solutions develop action plan PROBLEM BASED identify problem conduct analysis brainstorm solutions develop action plan ASSET BASED appreciate “What is” imagine “What might be determine “What should be” create “What will be” ASSET BASED appreciate “What is” imagine “What might be determine “What should be” create “What will be”

Just think what could be possible if people focused their attention on: Opportunities rather than problems Strengths more than weaknesses What can be done instead of what can’t Opportunities rather than problems Strengths more than weaknesses What can be done instead of what can’t

When you decrease your focus on what is wrong (deficit-based thinking) and increase your focus on what is right (asset-based thinking), you build enthusiasm and energy, strengthen relationships, and move people and productivity to the next level.

What Asset-Based Thinking Is A concrete, cognitive process aimed at identifying the assets that are immediately available in yourself, other people, and any situation In the light of opportunity, it blocks out distractions and creates a focal point of concentration and high energy that keeps you alert and inspired A concrete, cognitive process aimed at identifying the assets that are immediately available in yourself, other people, and any situation In the light of opportunity, it blocks out distractions and creates a focal point of concentration and high energy that keeps you alert and inspired

What Asset-Based Thinking Is Not Not blind optimism or magical thinking Not a quick fix Not based on theory alone……..but on direct observation of a growing minority of highly effective and satisfied people Not just positive thinking or attitude …. but a call for positive action Not blind optimism or magical thinking Not a quick fix Not based on theory alone……..but on direct observation of a growing minority of highly effective and satisfied people Not just positive thinking or attitude …. but a call for positive action

What Deficit-Based Thinking Is A concentration on personal gaps and weaknesses, what is bothersome and irritating about others, and what is not working, problematic and holding us back It shows us the problem from a negative angle so we are able to solve or eliminate whatever impedes success A concentration on personal gaps and weaknesses, what is bothersome and irritating about others, and what is not working, problematic and holding us back It shows us the problem from a negative angle so we are able to solve or eliminate whatever impedes success

Deficit-based thinking comes naturally because the human nervous system is hard wired to be more sensitive to signals of impending danger than to signals of opportunity Even though deficit-based thinking protects us under dire circumstances, it may begin to dominate our thinking Deficit-based thinking comes naturally because the human nervous system is hard wired to be more sensitive to signals of impending danger than to signals of opportunity Even though deficit-based thinking protects us under dire circumstances, it may begin to dominate our thinking

A “steady diet” of defict-based thinking may lead to depletion in energy, and expectations of problems and disappointment Defict-based thinking may begin to cloud or perceptions, blind us to possibilities, and limit our options A “steady diet” of defict-based thinking may lead to depletion in energy, and expectations of problems and disappointment Defict-based thinking may begin to cloud or perceptions, blind us to possibilities, and limit our options

Asset-Based Thinking Calls for small shifts in the way we absorb, perceive, filter, and interpret Changes the way we see things, leading to improvement in the way we live Zeros in on what’s working rather than what’s not and favors inspiration and aspiration over desperation………and it is infectious Calls for small shifts in the way we absorb, perceive, filter, and interpret Changes the way we see things, leading to improvement in the way we live Zeros in on what’s working rather than what’s not and favors inspiration and aspiration over desperation………and it is infectious

Find your “fall” partner. Have a conversation ……… What might a healthy balance of Deficit-Based and Asset-Based Thinking look like? Find your “fall” partner. Have a conversation ……… What might a healthy balance of Deficit-Based and Asset-Based Thinking look like?

You are invited to plan for your personal professional growth from a positive perspective consider your strengths, not just your weaknesses identify your curiosities and your passions You are invited to plan for your personal professional growth from a positive perspective consider your strengths, not just your weaknesses identify your curiosities and your passions

You are invited to consider developing a “joint” Professional Growth Plan, where you work with a partner meaning is socially constructed learning with a partner can challenge thinking, and extend and deepen understanding partner work can increase motivation and accountability You are invited to consider developing a “joint” Professional Growth Plan, where you work with a partner meaning is socially constructed learning with a partner can challenge thinking, and extend and deepen understanding partner work can increase motivation and accountability

“Joint” Professional Growth Plans are co-authored by two partners have partners who share the same goals, rationale, objectives, and resources may have individual differences in strategy and evaluation “Joint” Professional Growth Plans are co-authored by two partners have partners who share the same goals, rationale, objectives, and resources may have individual differences in strategy and evaluation

Vision “Values, vision, and purpose are the foundation of the school’s culture and are crucial to the kind of purposeful optimism that characterizes hope.” ( Hulley & Dier, 2005) “Values, vision, and purpose are the foundation of the school’s culture and are crucial to the kind of purposeful optimism that characterizes hope.” ( Hulley & Dier, 2005)

“Organizations without a view of reality may stumble along for a while but will never succeed. Organizations without vision remain mere organizations, surviving but not living, hitting temporary targets but not moving toward potential.” ( DePree, 2003) “Organizations without a view of reality may stumble along for a while but will never succeed. Organizations without vision remain mere organizations, surviving but not living, hitting temporary targets but not moving toward potential.” ( DePree, 2003)

“We can teach ourselves to see things they way they are. Only with vision can we begin to see things the way they can be.” (DePree, 2003) “We can teach ourselves to see things they way they are. Only with vision can we begin to see things the way they can be.” (DePree, 2003)

Effective educational leaders play a critical role. They connect with others in ways that enrich and energize, demonstrate “clarity of thought regarding values and beliefs, commitment to a compelling purpose, the magnet-like force of richly detailed vision of that which we desire to create”, and sustain motivation by an expanded set of possibilities. (Sparks, 2005) Effective educational leaders play a critical role. They connect with others in ways that enrich and energize, demonstrate “clarity of thought regarding values and beliefs, commitment to a compelling purpose, the magnet-like force of richly detailed vision of that which we desire to create”, and sustain motivation by an expanded set of possibilities. (Sparks, 2005)

Crafting a Personal Vision Statement 1. Clarify your core professional values. 2. Imagine what our schools would look like if they were living these values. 3. Draft your vision statement. 1. Clarify your core professional values. 2. Imagine what our schools would look like if they were living these values. 3. Draft your vision statement.

Find your “winter” partner. Walk and talk. Share your personal vision statement. Find your “winter” partner. Walk and talk. Share your personal vision statement.

“How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and, keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and do what really matters.” (Steven Covey) “How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and, keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and do what really matters.” (Steven Covey)