The Power of Stories

Our businesses are composed of processes that create a system—or vice versa—which produces results.?In concentrating too intently on systems, processes, results, we may be missing something.?No less, an entire parallel dimension.

In the 18th century, Samuel Johnson wrote:

“The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading, in order to write: a man will turn over half a library to make one book.”

Not everyone aspires to be, much less is, a writer.?

But everyone is a storyteller, we have our own mental library.?Every day we tell stories—how layered, how nuanced they are, is another matter.?How relevant it may be to the intended audience may be another matter again.?We can’t help ourselves—it’s inescapable.?

Our conversations are invariably made up of stories—those that have just happened in the most graphic detail—they may bring the latest news; down to scripts we have learned over a lifetime to reassure and comfort ourselves or our audience.

For the leader, curated stories can be a wonderful tool, used judiciously.?With appropriate timing.?And reading may be your wellspring.?That is, fiction.

“Yes, I already read!” you may cry. “Newspapers, magazines, online newsfeeds, manuals…!!”

This is not a contest between fiction and non-fiction.?Many people I know will read only non-fiction—they are pragmatic, they need to be informed, they want the latest on what to do next.?Other people I know will read only fiction—they want to be transported to another place and time, past, present and future.

For the leader, there is a bridge across this dichotomy. And our primary role to inspire demands that we take it.?When fact seems too boring or too raw, we can devise a story that leads our audience to consider what is fascinating and what is possible—simply by looking from a different point of view.

A story well told challenges us to experience the great emotions—excitement, hope, love, fear, anger, anticipation—and to visit there at least temporarily and repeatedly, without necessarily becoming a resident.

A story well told us to consider our own standpoints, and to plumb our own feelings, fears and aspirations and to accept other people’s experiences and points of view.?This becomes tolerance.

A story well told may contrast the emotional and the logical—showing us the difference and the immutable bond between them.?It shows us the importance of being aware of and balancing them.

A story well told enables a wonderful reality.?In strategy, our inspirational goals start from un-reality, that is, a dream.?Finding ways to convert that dream into reality creates the pathway to innovation.

The structure of a story well told suggests alternatives for our own story and the narrative that we can choose for our business. We, and then our audience, can fashion our own story.

A story well told develops our emotional intelligence.?Being exposed to and understanding others’ feelings, thoughts, motivations and behaviours, makes us happier and better human beings and of course, better leaders.

We can’t sprint the marathon.?A story well told allows us to change the pace, temporarily shift our relentless focus on the race, giving us the opportunity to be revitalized when we resume.

And if not creating a story for others, each of us has a hunger for artistic expression, but do we feed it??What is our own story, where are the entry points??

Reading other people’s stories leads us to visual, musical, literary, filmic, physical and many other modes of deep expression.?It helps us develop our own imagination.?The quicker we move, the less we see and experience—reading can put us on pause and lead to the deepest reflection.?

Delving into fiction bends time and presents possibilities we could never otherwise conceive of.?It helps us to refine what we think and what we feel.?Our lifetime store of thoughts and experiences find somewhere to fit, belong and grow. ?

Someone else’s fiction may become our own reality—shaping us, our business and our leadership.

Prolific English author Philip Pullman—for now Johnson’s coeval—said:

“After nourishment, shelter, companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”

?Next week:?You Call That Success?

?About the Author

Jeff Bell?is Principal of executive consultancy ResultsWise in Perth, Western Australia.?To boost your leadership, ask Jeff about consulting, coaching, strategy facilitation, Band of Leaders Australia (BoLA) [email protected] or Advanced Leadership Course [email protected]. Mobile (61) 439 988 662.??The