The Ryan Group has proclaimed The New Narrative Age, stating that: This new cultural phenomenon is virtually changing the organization’s fundamental approach to training, learning, knowledge transfer, strategy, change, performance, and competitiveness. Conceptually, the “narrative age” recognizes the implicit value of knowledge (many times untapped knowledge) embedded within the body-organization. … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: January 2006
Story Scholar’s Credo
“We believe in practicing and living in a narrative world where everything is shaped by our relationship to story.” — Steve Denning, p. 159 of The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative.
Blogging Goes Legit
You know a trend has become legitimate when an academic organization is formed around it. The Society for New Communications Research has been formed to “be the leading think tank for the advanced study of new communications tools, technologies and emerging modes of communication, i.e. blogs, wikis, RSS, podcasts, collaborative … Continue reading
Seeking Participants to be Interviewed for Research Project
My dissertation research starts in earnest soon, so I’m seeking: – former job-seekers who recently successfully changed jobs or careers – individuals employed by organizations in the process of major change or that have recently undergone major change Interviews will take place in Central Florida locations, and local interviewees will … Continue reading
A Tremendous Boost to Blogging
The other day, the ever-ebullient Jennifer Warwick wrote to some collegaues that she had just purchased blogsbywomen.org,blogsbywomen.net, and thenewjane.com. She wrote: I am terrified and exhilarated. I can’t wait to repackage them, tweak them, dance all over them, buy them cocktails etc. Any and all feedback will be most welcome … Continue reading
Good List of Storytelling Articles
Terrence Gargiulo, to whom I feel a kinship through his terrific book on using story in human resources (and who has a new book, The Strategic Use of Stories in Organizational Communication and Learning), has compiled a very nice bibliography of links to storytelling articles at his MAKINGSTORIES.net site. It’s … Continue reading
It’s Time for Storytelling, a Proven Management Tool
This article comes from Evelyn Clark:
Have you or any of your leaders ever been frustrated because your organization’s presentations, memos, or other messages don’t seem to be heard — not to mention heeded? Are you tired of reiterating the same policies and procedures to employees˜only to have them fall on deaf ears again and again? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, take heart: there is a powerful solution to the problem that will significantly enhance adherence to your organization’s policies and desired practices. The solution is innovative, it’s easier to implement than writing a policy manual that gets ignored — and it effectively shapes behavior. It is an approach called corporate storytelling, or “managing by storying around.”
As discussed repeatedly in the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, and other leading business publications, the use of storytelling in businesses and other organizations is more than a valid concept; it’s an essential, proven communication practice. Motivating people to reach the organization’s stated goals is “a big part of a CEO’s job,” says award-winning writer, director, and screenwriting coach Robert McKee in his HBR interview. “To do that, he or she must engage their emotions, and the key to their hearts is a story.” Continue reading