See a photo of Graham and Dorian, their bios, Part 1 of this Q&A, and Part 2.
Q&A with Graham Williams and Dorian Haarhoff, Question 3:
Q: Are there any current uses of storytelling that repel you or that you feel are inappropriate?
A: Inappropriate practices can of course harm the profession. There are both doctors and quacks in the exploding world of corporate story-ing. We think that quacks tend to focus on entertaining, winning, impressing. Quacks use stories to manipulate colleagues and clients. Doctors are more into sharing, expressing, conveying and capturing wisdom and insight — and blend the art/science of story with real business understanding and acumen.
Perhaps there is a gentle way of encouraging those who make noise not music, to look inside?
There was once a small boy who loved banging his drum all day and every day. He refused to be quiet, no matter what anyone else said or did. Various people were called in to do something, to find the answer to this disruption, to solve the problem.
The first told the boy that he would surely, if he continued to make so much noise, perforate his eardrums. The second told him that drum beating was a sacred activity and should be reserved only for special occasions. The third offered the villagers plugs for their ears.
Someone gave the boy a book to read. Another suggested meditation exercises. Yet another offered more harmonious musical instruments. Nothing worked.
Eventually a wise old woman asked of the boy, “I wonder what is INSIDE the drum?”
(Idris Shah)
Benjamin Franklin: “People are best convinced by reasons they themselves discover.”