Appreciative advising:

A Crash Course

Devan G. Lalas
M.Ed. Higher Education Student Affairs Candidate, WCU
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Appreciative Advising:
Appreciative Advising is the intentional
collaborative practice of asking positive,
open-ended questions that help students
optimize their educational experiences and
achieve their dreams, goals, and potentials.
(What is Appreciative Advising, n.d.)
 6
phases of
Appreciative
advising
Make a positive
first impression
with the student,
build rapport, and
create a safe,
welcoming space.
Tips for:
Advisor Behaviors:

Meeting students at the door

Welcoming the student
Introducing Yourself
Decorating your office in a personal way

Non-Verbal
Gestures
Smiling at students
Relaxed body posture
Removal of distractions
Eye contact
Professional casual dress
Verbal
Calling students by name
Use of inclusive pronouns
Unrelated small talk
Feedback to students
Asking for student feedback
Use of own first name
Ask positive
open-ended questions
that help advisers
learn about
students' strengths,
skills, and
abilities.
Tips for:
Advisor Behaviors/Questions:

Affirming/rephrasing/summarizing what student is saying.

Tell me about a time that you positively impacted someone elses life.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Why?

Since coming to Western, what is something youve accomplished that you

are proud of?

Who are the most important role models in your life? Why? What qualities
in them do you hope to emulate?
Inquire about
students' hopes and
dreams for their
futures.
Tips for:
Advisor Behaviors

Make connections between information from the Discover phase and dreams
being shared during this phase. Is there congruency between the two
phases?
Encourage students to be open to the possibilities and remind them that
there is more than one right answer.

Sample Questions

When you were 8 years old, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew
up? What about now?
If salary, education, and time were irrelevant, what is your ideal job?
Co-create a plan for
making their dreams
a reality.
Tips for:
Advisor Behaviors

Explain technical info in easy to understand language

Thats a good question / Making informed decisions
Making effective referrals
Developing an Action Plan (set goals, establish timeline, clarify whos
responsibility is what)

Sample Questions

What can you do in the next week to move one step closer to at least one
of your goals?
Lets brainstorm on the resources you will need to accomplish these goals
and objectives.
The student delivers
on the plan created
during the Design
phase and the
adviser is available
to encourage and
support students.
Tips for:
Advisor Behaviors

Review what you have accomplished in this session

Review the students responsibilities and your responsibilities and the
deadlines you have co-established
Reiterate your confidence that the student can indeed accomplish the goals
set forth

Sample Questions

How and when will you keep me updated on your progress?

What will you do if you run into roadblocks?
What will you do if you think your goals may be changing?
Advisors and
students alike need
to set their own
internal bars of
expectations high.
Tips for:
Advisor Behaviors

Challenge and Support

The Power of High Expectations

Sample Questions

You have done great so far, but what is one thing that you could do even
better?
If you were going to raise your own internal bar of expectations, what
would that mean?
What would happen if I challenged you to become the best you that you
could possible become? What would you need to do differently?
References
Bloom, J. L., Hutson, B. L., & He, Y. (2008). The appreciative advising revolution. Champaign, IL:
Stipes Publishing

What is appreciative advising. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2016, from

http://www.appreciativeadvising.net/what-is-appreciative-advising.html