Learn the Transformative Power of
         Great Questions and Compassion

Einstein said we cannot solve a problem from the mindset that created the problem.

Many of our change strategies fail to create transformation because the problem and the change process are both in the same mindset. Transformation requires looking at things differently.

One way to change mindsets is to change the questions we are asking. When stuck, transformational leaders learn how to change the questions rather than simply try different solutions.

David Cooperrider the founder of Appreciative Inquiry found that organizations grow in the direction of the questions they ask. If you or your organization find yourself stuck and not growing then change the questions.

One appreciative strategy when dealing with a problem is to ask the question:

"What do we want more of?"
   rather than asking:
"What do we want less of?"

Here is another possible change of questions:
If your are stuck trying to discern a way forward and are asking:

"What is God calling us to do?"
   What happens if instead you ask:
"What is love calling us to do?"

Is your answer to these questions the same?
If not, which do you need to change:
Your perspective of God or
your perspective of Love?

Changing either perspective is likely to lead to transformation.

To avoid the potential problem of sentimentality when thinking about love, I prefer the word compassion. This is especially so when dealing with difficult situations.

"What is compassion calling us to do?"

To determine a compassionate response I use the following three aspects of compassion:

To develop your understanding of these three aspects of compassion I invite you to reflect on the stories of Jesus engaging with others. At times he was tender, at other times fierce, and then there are a myriad of times when he was playful, full of parables, paradox, and often perverse all in the cause of transformation.

Once you have determined a plan there are several follow-up questions that need to be asked:

These questions ensure that the outcome is sustainable and just. They ensure that our pursuit of our goal will not strip mine the physical, emotional and spiritual environments we inhabit and that our neighbors will find our presence a blessing.

If you want to learn more about how to ask the right questions to create transformation or you want to learn the transformative power of compassion I invite you to attend one of our appreciative Inquiry based Leadership Training Programs.

Training Programs

Appreciative Leadership for Transformation
  Mahwah, NJ. May 23-27

  Learn the core leadership competencies.
  Lead people from maintenance to mission
  Includes pre-training leadership assessment.

Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry
  Seattle, WA. Jun. 22-24

  Learn the Appreciative Way and power of:
   Knowing your purpose
   Asking Great Questions
   Using the three faces of Compassion:
     Tenderness, Fierceness, and Mischievousness.

Appreciative Transitional Ministry
  Seattle, WA. Jun. 22-24

  Learn how to appreciatively join a congregation
  and engage in congregational development.

This program would be ideal for anyone starting a new ministry.

To register or learn more about our programs please see:
Appreciative Way Training Schedule

With blessings on your life and work
Rob Voyle
Director, Clergy Leadership Institute

What Participants Say

"Rob will enhance your ability to delight in yourself, your neighbor and God through his insightful, practical, loving, professionally grounded, appreciative and often mischievous coaching and teaching skills; and that will make you a better leader and citizen in God's creation." Ed Leidel, Episcopal Bishop and Congregational Coach

Restoring Hope

Use the Appreciative Way to
rapidly and effectively resolve

This is not a book about
the need for hope!

This book will teach you how to resolve the consequences of distressing events.

Contents
208 pages of healing strategies and scripts.
Access to online resources.

Cost: $39.95

For details and purchasing see:
Restoring Hope: Appreciative Strategies to Resolve Grief and Resentment

What Readers Say

"Rob Voyle has produced the most comprehensive manual for dealing with the consequences of serious negative life events. Logically organized into easy to follow stages, Restoring Hope provides a large number of tried and tested techniques and processes essential for any clinician working in the therapeutic field." Andy Austin, author, The Rainbow Machine: Tales from a Neurolinguist's Journal

"This book is filled with things you can actually do to actually heal from grief and resentment. Whether you use this book on your own, as a member of group, or to help others, you will find here a resource rich with hands-on and effective strategies for healing. James Finley, author, Merton's Palace of Nowhere and The Contemplative Heart

Appreciative Way Training

Transformational Leadership
Mahwah, NJ. May 23-27
Develop your core competencies of effective leadership.

Intro. Appreciative Inquiry
Seattle, WA, Jun. 20-22
Learn the fundamentals of the Appreciative Way

Appreciative Transitional Ministry
Seattle, WA, Jun. 20-22
Apply the Appreciative Way to congregations in Transition

Clergy Search Consulting
Seattle, WA, Jun. 20-22
Apply the Appreciative way to the clergy search process

Continuing Ed. Credit

The Clergy Leadership Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Clergy Leadership Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

The Clergy Leadership Institute is a National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPT) and may offer NBCC approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The Clergy Leadership Institute solely is responsible for all aspects of the program.

Our Approach to Training

See our helpful, humorous and healing approach to continuing education and training.