Your Problem-Solving Blueprint: The Hero's Journey

Storytelling is more than entertainment, for it’s the very essence of what it means to be human. Since the dawn of time, we have harnessed the power of narratives to make sense of our experiences, to connect, and to grow. Science has shown that we are, at our core, narrative creatures. We tell stories to get to know the world, we tell stories to get to know each other, and we tell stories to get to know ourselves. So, what if we could use storytelling structure to better solve our problems at work, too?

The Hero's Journey

As a filmmaker, I dedicate months to writing screenplays that resonate deeply with audiences, using the tools of my craft. Yet, what I have come to realize is that as I dive into the journey of my characters, I embark on a transformative journey within myself. Understanding my story means understanding the very challenges I face.

In business settings, this shows that overcoming obstacles and learning about ourselves at the same time enables personal growth with a higher-level beginner's mindset at the end: we are ready for the next challenge.

Imagine applying the structure of storytelling as a blueprint for every obstacle we encounter. This is where the brilliance of the Hero’s Journey comes into play—a powerful framework established by the legendary Joseph Campbell. He unearthed a universal narrative pattern prevalent in myths from around the globe, calling it a 'monomyth.' In his classic work, The Hero With A Thousand Faces, he outlines how all heroes, regardless of their tales, traverse a similar path, battling uncertainties and growing in knowledge along the way. Let's look at The Hero's Journey, a simplified version by Christopher Vogler.

A Blueprint for Problem-solving

The Hero's Journey can easily be contextualized with a familiar 3-act-structure of a story, as well as with our awareness about a problem and its solution.

Act 1: The Call to Adventure

The hero recognizes a challenge at hand—just as we must acknowledge our problems before we can tackle them.

Steps 1 – 5

1) Ordinary World: Business as usual

2) Call to Adventure: Something's up, we learn about an issue

3) Refusal of the Call: We debate if we really have to deal with this

4) Meeting the Mentor: We activate our inspiration, and belief, or get help

5) Crossing the Threshold: We commit to the issue

Act 2: The Descent into Darkness

Our hero commits to the quest, much like we do when we decide to confront obstacles head-on. We dig deep, gathering our tools and resources, believing that with the right knowledge, we’ll prevail.

In the corporate world, this narrative structure holds invaluable lessons. Different teams may face the same hurdles, yet their perspectives can vary drastically based on where they are on their journey.

As the journey unfolds, challenges become steeper, mirroring the internal battles we face—the moments of doubt and frustration that test our resolve. We've all been there, questioning our capabilities after a few failed attempts at a task.

Steps 6 – 10

6) Tests, Allies, Enemies: We negotiate who is truly helpful

7) Approach to the Innermost Cave: We gather a core learning insight about the issue that also gives us a clue as to what we emotionally need to invest to solve the problem

8) The Ordeal: We now have to tackle our inner and outer demons

9) Seizing the Sword: We figure out a way forward

10) The Road Back: Now, we can truly overcome the obstacle

And persistence pays off…

Act 3: The Transformation

At last, the hero integrates new insights and strengths, surpassing previous limitations to defeat the monster. In our lives, this moment comes when we synthesize our experiences, transforming frustration into understanding. We realize that the key to overcoming our challenges lies within—fueled by our motivations and the emotional drives that push us forward.

Steps 11 – 12

11) Resurrection: We overcome our deepest inner restrictions that have stopped us from evolving as we attack the core of the problem

12) Return with the Elixir: Having solved the problem, we return to business as usual

A Tool for Leaders, Managers, and Employees

The Hero’s Journey is a profound 12-step framework that illuminates how we progress from confusion to clarity in problem-solving. In the corporate world, this narrative structure holds invaluable lessons. Different teams may face the same hurdles, yet their perspectives can vary drastically based on where they are on their journey.

For leaders and managers, employing this storytelling technique can be transformative. It fosters empathy, enabling you to connect meaningfully with stakeholders, motivate employees, and empower project partners.

As the hero goes through the adventure, so is everyone in the business team coming into consciousness about a problem and its solution. But in order to support employees and provide good leadership, people (everyone is a hero in the organisation) need the opportunity to tackle the external goal with internal learning opportunities.

It is noteworthy that the hero crosses the threshold twice: first when committing to the problem (adventure), and second, when getting to the very core of the problem. This indicates the 'unification of the worlds' we experience when what we previously thought was unknown to us becomes known. The unification of the previously unknown adventure world and the ordinary world signifies that the hero has reached a higher understanding of the world at large and themselves. In business settings, this shows that overcoming obstacles and learning about ourselves at the same time enables personal growth with a higher-level beginner's mindset at the end: we are ready for the next challenge.

Conclusion

The hero's quest is a mirror of our own problem-solving journeys. When confronted with a challenge, we often feel lost and unsure. But once we tackle and conquer it, we emerge as experts.

Storytelling techniques offer unique insights into the psychology and emotional intelligence behind our decisions and actions. Great teams and businesses strive for iterative, entrepreneurial processes that prioritize learning opportunities for individuals and the team as a whole. Understanding different stages in problem-solving from an empathic perspective empowers teams to tackle greater challenges with more confidence, because they can trust in their own process.

There's much more to say about the Mentor in all of this. What's your thought?

Let’s reshape the way we view challenges—through the lens of storytelling. By embracing the Hero’s Journey, we can not only navigate our obstacles with greater insight but also inspire others to embark on their own quests with a beginner's mindset and the motivation to unify personal growth with that of the business. After all, every problem is simply another story waiting to be told.

Connect with me to learn how my consulting framework "Subconscious Narratives" can empower your business.

It's your story!

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