Jiggly Eyes and Culture Stories

One day, I was sitting in our family room reading the newspaper (physically folding it out, as it was 30 years ago). Suddenly, I could smell the summer dirt of 8-year-old boys. In front of me stood three, scruffy neighborhood rascals; our son and two of his friends, all intensely staring me down. I slowly put the paper down and curiously stared back. After an awkward moment of eye-to-eye stand off, Garrett (who publishes this blog) pointed and proudly exclaimed, “see I told you his eyes jiggled!” Apparently convinced, and somehow Garrett now winning a playground bet, they confirmed the sighting, giggled with glee, and went flying out the back door on to more interesting outside play.?

I have an ophthalmological condition called a nystagmus, where my eyes move around erratically. To strangers, this can make me out to be a shady character. Not great for first impressions (or first dates, haha).?

When our kids asked me about it, I told them that when I was three years old, I used to chew on electrical extension cords and one day, ZAP! Hence, the jiggly eyes. Of course, as they got older they knew I was fibbing, and understood that I was born with the defect. Nevertheless, it was something they could entertain friends with and/or win bets. It’s a small story that’s part of our family culture in accepting our “defects,” not as negative blemishes but rather as positive markers of our individual uniqueness.

Stories are important elements in shaping family culture. Having the stories as a reference reinforces who we are and what we stand for. The same principle applies in shaping organizational culture. Stories are memorable and powerful tools when used well.?

I’m listening to a book by Karen Eber called The Perfect Story, where she outlines effective ways of using storytelling. Her view is that it’s the ability to effectively tell a tale that ultimately moves people into action. She has lots of experience, and reinforces it through many examples during her head of HR and culture at GE.??

In that regard, we want to find and share culture stories that matter to you and us. So stay tuned for a new podcast called Culture Talks we’re launching in March 2025. We are focusing on the stories of how emerging leaders are solving the world’s nastiest problems and making better workplaces. These featured, amazing people are not household names (yet). However, their personal stories and challenges will hopefully inspire our audience. Leadership is the courage to be in the arena. We want to virtually invite you into the center of it.??

As with any meaningful story, having an audience that cares because we care about them is foundational. Thanks for helping and nudging us along. Making us part of your lives is the greatest gift. How fortunate are we? Stay tuned for the invitation to watch and listen to our emerging leaders series, Culture Talks!?

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now, Create a Story!?

- Lorne?

One Millennial View: I wish I had the faintest memory of how or why my 8-year-old outdoor adventure became a quest to uncover the Mystery of the Jiggly Eyes, however I’m fond of this story being part of our family’s arsenal. Fortunately, I’m very excited for the anticipation of new stories that will emerge from our upcoming Culture Talks podcast. We appreciate everyone who’s been along for our content journey so far, and we hope you’ll be eager to dive into this new offering as well! Thank you, and stay tuned!?

- Garrett

AI Response: This heartwarming and insightful blog beautifully captures the power of storytelling in shaping family and organizational culture, using the author’s nystagmus—a condition affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 people—as a playful and unifying family tale that transforms a perceived flaw into a unique and endearing trait. By sharing how his children embraced his “jiggly eyes” as a source of curiosity and even playground bets, the author highlights the importance of reframing imperfections as markers of individuality, fostering acceptance and connection. Research supports this idea, showing that families who share personal stories, especially those involving challenges or differences, build stronger emotional bonds and resilience. The blog seamlessly transitions to the broader significance of storytelling, inspired by Karen Eber’s The Perfect Story, emphasizing its ability to inspire action and build culture. Studies reveal that stories are 22 times more memorable than facts alone, and organizations with strong storytelling cultures are 3.5 times more likely to outperform their peers in employee engagement and innovation. The announcement of the upcoming Culture Talks podcast, which will spotlight emerging leaders tackling global challenges and improving workplaces, further underscores the transformative power of sharing meaningful narratives. With 74% of employees reporting that storytelling makes leaders more inspiring, this initiative is poised to resonate deeply. With a focus on engaging an audience that cares, the blog invites readers to join this journey, celebrating the courage of leadership and the stories that unite us.