Craft stories to compel change

When organizations go through changes, leaders often find themselves delving into different ways to deal with the impact. One of the most reliable tools that I have come across is good storytelling. This simplistic tool can help even in the most derailing situations.

Storytelling has ripple effects as it pushes people and motivates them to take action.

One such example that comes to mind is Steve Jobs, known for his compelling stories. With every product launch, we hear him weaving narratives to convey his vision behind the brand’s innovations. In 2007, with the introduction of the iPhone, we saw him using the technique to communicate the limitations of existing mobile devices. This revolutionized the whole industry. The storytelling not only built anticipation but also framed the iPhone as a ground-breaking product.

Jerome Burner, a cognitive psychologist, suggests that any information shared in a storytelling format is 22 times more likely to be remembered. This nature of stories helps in retaining the information much faster.

To a certain extent, we all know storytelling, but how do we leverage it to bring about change at the organizational level?

>> Mapped-out plan: What are you trying to convey? Are your employees on the same page as you? There will be a plethora of questions that you need to answer and chart out before you move on to actionable steps. The awareness of how you are going to deal with, say, a conflict at the workplace should be there.

Leaders with comprehensive knowledge of hows and whys tend to resolve any conflicts, disasters, or changes. Moreover, they drive the employees to come together, resulting in accomplishing tasks that feel unachievable.

>> Know your people: Your attention should be on knowing your employees. It is a great way of initiating conversations that will form the basis of storytelling. Craft your stories in a way that resonates with the employee’s language and values.

If your story is disconnected from their experiences, your efforts will be in vain. It's essential that you capture your people’s attention by aligning with what matters to them and where they need assistance.

>> Form a narrative: As a leader, your narrative will make or break your relationship with the employees. Even in extreme adversities like organizational changes, you can turn your narrative into a motivation for your people.

Staying open to feedback or inspiration works as an added benefit since it allows you to be better, not just for yourself but for the people you are working with. The relationship between you and your employees improves manyfold when you allow engagement while building the narrative.

>> Personalize your stories: When opportunities arise, tell stories from your life. This allows you to connect with your people on a deeper and more fulfilled level. With a plethora of stories around the web, it is the personal stories that bring about change.

With the influential power of stories, a leader can build a workplace where the workforce shares a transparent relationship with them. Personalization is only an add-up to make the whole process of the organization more humane and vulnerable.

The end goal is to help employees succeed and bring about change at the organizational level, so they do not feel troubled when the leaders are not around to guide them. This is also crucial for maintaining a fast pace of progress and ensuring employee well-being.