Hi all, I am interested to know if anyone has applied storytelling in organisations, as a way to train, motivate, share knowledge, create culture etc .... and if so, if this has been done using a special methodology or process, with training etc ..... many thanks, elaine, israel
From Israel, Hod Hasharon
From Israel, Hod Hasharon
6
Elaine:
I've personally used Executive Storytelling for over 25 years in my career in Management. There are a variety of reasons to do it.
a) It's a great way to communicate ideas, issues, and reasons for doing things a specific way without seeming to be critical or criticizing actions of the employee.
b) It's a wonderful way to show a subordinate that you are human and have faced challenges and/or opportunities, and sharing what "you" did personally to address those challenges and opportunities.
c) It's an even better way to point out foibles without critical comment; in most cases, the subordinate knows as well as you do where the story is headed, and can--and generally will-- act accordingly.
d) Moreover, it allows you to paint your leadership skills in a "human" light.
It's best used, however, by someone quite comfortable with their place in life; someone who has a fair amount of experience across a "broad-brush" of management expertise.
Hope this is helpful. If you seek additional information, I'd try either Google or Altavista with the keywords "Executive Storytelling."
Let me know if this has been helpful, or if I can assist further.
Alan Guinn, Managing Director
The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc.
From United States, Bluff City
I've personally used Executive Storytelling for over 25 years in my career in Management. There are a variety of reasons to do it.
a) It's a great way to communicate ideas, issues, and reasons for doing things a specific way without seeming to be critical or criticizing actions of the employee.
b) It's a wonderful way to show a subordinate that you are human and have faced challenges and/or opportunities, and sharing what "you" did personally to address those challenges and opportunities.
c) It's an even better way to point out foibles without critical comment; in most cases, the subordinate knows as well as you do where the story is headed, and can--and generally will-- act accordingly.
d) Moreover, it allows you to paint your leadership skills in a "human" light.
It's best used, however, by someone quite comfortable with their place in life; someone who has a fair amount of experience across a "broad-brush" of management expertise.
Hope this is helpful. If you seek additional information, I'd try either Google or Altavista with the keywords "Executive Storytelling."
Let me know if this has been helpful, or if I can assist further.
Alan Guinn, Managing Director
The Guinn Consultancy Group, Inc.
From United States, Bluff City
Thank you both to Pramod and to Alec for very helpful responses. I have checked links recommended and found them very useful. My particular interest is in how one creates a process for a stroytelling culture in organisations. Many thanks for taking the time to respond, regards, elaine, israel
From Israel, Hod Hasharon
From Israel, Hod Hasharon
Hi Elaine,
As far as my understanding goes, there are 2 ways of doing a story-telling exercise:
* formal gathering
* informal gathering
In the formal gathering way, the following steps could apply:
1) Circulate a memo for the concerned people to gather at a given time and venue for an exercise
2) Open the forum and narrate a story to bring out the theme
(The impact would be better if the story could be enacted like a role-play with the help of some forum members)
3) Ask the gathering to jot down their learnings on a piece of paper
4) Ask each member to read out his/her list
5) Invite people to have a brain storming session leading into a group discussion
6) Ask 1 or 2 people from the gathering to share similar experiences or stories
In the informal gathering, the following steps could apply:
1) Subtly arrange for the concerned people to gather
(let it look as if they've gathered by accident or merely for some informal snacks or chatting)
2) Without making any announcements or declarations, divert the topic towards the intended one and start narrating your story
(people will think that you're just talking to them casually)
3) Allow people to stop you inbetween if they want to
4) On completion of the story wait for the people to respond, if you've done a good job as a narrator, people will automatically start narrating their own examples. In case they don't, ask them if they've had any similar experiences
5) When they finish speaking, tell them the hidden agenda of the gathering and ask for feedback
Conducting a formal gathering is any day easier but the effect of the informal one is definitely better.
Try one of these and let me know how it was.
All the best.
Lalita
From India, Madras
As far as my understanding goes, there are 2 ways of doing a story-telling exercise:
* formal gathering
* informal gathering
In the formal gathering way, the following steps could apply:
1) Circulate a memo for the concerned people to gather at a given time and venue for an exercise
2) Open the forum and narrate a story to bring out the theme
(The impact would be better if the story could be enacted like a role-play with the help of some forum members)
3) Ask the gathering to jot down their learnings on a piece of paper
4) Ask each member to read out his/her list
5) Invite people to have a brain storming session leading into a group discussion
6) Ask 1 or 2 people from the gathering to share similar experiences or stories
In the informal gathering, the following steps could apply:
1) Subtly arrange for the concerned people to gather
(let it look as if they've gathered by accident or merely for some informal snacks or chatting)
2) Without making any announcements or declarations, divert the topic towards the intended one and start narrating your story
(people will think that you're just talking to them casually)
3) Allow people to stop you inbetween if they want to
4) On completion of the story wait for the people to respond, if you've done a good job as a narrator, people will automatically start narrating their own examples. In case they don't, ask them if they've had any similar experiences
5) When they finish speaking, tell them the hidden agenda of the gathering and ask for feedback
Conducting a formal gathering is any day easier but the effect of the informal one is definitely better.
Try one of these and let me know how it was.
All the best.
Lalita
From India, Madras
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