[Ailist] Re: Connecting with Others

[Rob Voyle]

Hi Kevin

> I actually like this rather honest approach very much, although I
> would 
> disagree with you that this is neutral curiosity.  

I said he became curious, but I don't think the approach is neutral. From
a constructionist perspective neutrality is impossible.  I think as
consultants or psychotherpists (one of my former professions) we are
deluded if we think we are neutral, what we need to do is be open with our
agenda.  It is not for us to impose our agenda on others, but to find
those people with whom our agenda and their agenda can merge to co-create
something new. 

I think your idea of the middle ground, not dominators or collaborators is
right on and is what I am also talking of.  What I deeply value about the
appreciative way is it helps people find that middle ground that becomes a
place of life-giving synergy and at that moment becomes a place of
transcendence in that people are no longer working at the level of
consciousness in which dominators or collaborators exist.

If you are interested I have written on the idea of agenda's in coaching
and share my own agenda at:
http://www.clergyleadership.com/coaching/coaching-agenda.html

Rob

Robert J. Voyle, Psy.D.
Director, Clergy Leadership Institute
For Coaching and Training in Appreciative Inquiry
Author: Core Elements of the Appreciative Way 
http://www.clergyleadership.com/
503-647-2378 or 503-647-2382