This makes storytelling extremely effective when used with purpose and a clear direction.
Humans have been telling stories for tens of thousands of years, which means our brains are hardwired to engage with the narratives we read and hear. At 15, Malala survived an attempted Taliban assassination in Pakistan, and has gone on to campaign and speak on the world’s stage for girls’ rights everywhere. Cain is on a mission ‘to unlock the power of introverts for the benefit of us all’.įor a powerful reality check, and world-class example of using personal experience to influence change, consider Malala Yousafzai. He turns a small idea into a big vision, starting with “I” and finishing with “we”.Īnother excellent example of using personal stories which promote a social message is this TED Talk by Susan Cain, author of Quiet Revolution. Obama’s story starts with a small event about himself and ends with a rallying call to change the world together. It can also get them to do the work of spreading your message about the big changes your organisation is making, such as a culture change, a new leader, a rebrand or even a restructure.Ī brilliant example of a leadership speech, using a story, is Barack Obama’s “Fired up, ready to go” speech. With a story, you can spark action and inspire people to join and trust you.
Instead of letting these ‘corridor’ stories influence people’s perceptions, leaders can take ownership of the ‘change story’ themselves by crafting an authentic narrative that shifts hearts and minds in the direction you are taking the organisation. People are wired to respond emotionally to any kind of disruption, and in the absence of coherent and well-communicated storytelling from leadership, it is natural for narratives to be made up. You may not like it, but it will be happening. This article explores the psychology of stories and how you can harness their power for leading transformational change in your organisation.Īs a leader, it’s highly likely that your people are sharing stories about your leadership, your handling of the change and about the organisation itself. In times of great organisational transformation, storytelling can be a leader’s most powerful communication tool.
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