See Madelyn’s bio, photo, and Part 1 of this Q&A, Part 2, and Part 3.
Q&A with Madelyn Blair (Questions 6, 7, and 8):
Q: What’s your favorite story about a transformation that came about through a story or storytelling act?
A: I wrote a paper on this called “Renewable Energy: How story can revitalize your organization.”. It is all about finding stories inside words, and allowing the stories to reenergize even redefine the words. I have used this technique in several situations to great effect.
Q: If you could share just one piece of advice or wisdom about story/storytelling/narrative with readers, what would it be?
A: Stories are powerful. They can change lives completely. Use them with care. Use them with great care.
Q: On your Pelerei Web site, you note that you have been involved with an astounding 300+ projects over 18 years. Can you describe some highlights from one or more of the most satisfying story-based project you’ve worked on?
A: One of these projects, I have already written up. The paper is called, “Future Story Told in a Day” and can be downloaded from my web site (www.pelerei.com). But there is another that is worth talking about.
I had been invited in to help a board create its strategic plan for the year. This was a board made up of about half new members and half former members. It was clear that the group had to first form themselves into a coherent, interdependent group before they could achieve any plan they defined. I asked each of the members, new and old, to think about why they had decided to work in this particular organization. (It was an institution devoted to helping the world.) I asked them to then tell a story that reflected that calling. When the day came for the work session, we began with these stories. I was amazed at the things that had happened to these individuals that called them to leave much higher paying jobs to devote their time to the work of this organization. But the one that always has stayed with me was the story told by the person considered least qualified to be a member of the board.
She began by telling them that she had redecorated her bathroom all by herself. But this was only the beginning of the story. She then told them that she was committed to doing this the right way. She said that in order to do so, she knew that when she painted the walls, that she had to remove the toilet in order to paint behind it. Being committed to doing it herself, she then went to the library, read about how to remove a toilet, made the list of tools she would need, and proceeded to do the task herself. In the end, she not only removed the toilet, she also painted the wall properly and then, replaced the toilet – all in the correct (and fully functional) manner. The other members of the board were struck dumb. They couldn’t believe that this person had done such a task all by herself. In the end, she said that she felt as a result of this that she would be able to do anything presented to her in the future. She became a highly esteemed member of the board to her delight and to what turned out to be the board’s great advantage. It continued to seek ways to do things right. Never have I seen one story have such great effect on a group in such an unexpected way.