Table of Contents, Communication Secrets

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Importance of Telling Stories

Stories are important to us. From the days of our tribal ancestors, we have been sharing tales, shaping fables, and writing plays about the human condition. Why? Because these stories, with their rich context and stylized character, cast a window of light into our souls. And from that experience we learn more about who we are and who we might become. Leadership that is rooted in story and guided in story is leadership that is centered in the human condition, which ultimately is where it belongs.

The ability to tell stories is a good leadership attribute. Abraham Lincoln used his storytelling abilities, honed as a country lawyer in Illinois, to make his points as artfully as he could. Stories can be powerful ways to bring people together.

Identify the stories in your organization. What obstacles did your company overcome as it became what it is today? Specify the context and character of each.
Identify the legends in your organization. Why are they legends? What things did they accomplish? What leadership lessons can you draw from their example?
If your organization has been around for more than 5 years, make a practice of inviting veterans in your company to spend time with newcomers. Ask them to share stories of the old days so that new people can get a sense of time, place, and culture.
If your organization is a brand-new venture, make a practice of inviting members of the organization to share stories from their past experiences. Some of these accounts may prove insightful; others may not. By encouraging people to share stories, you are trying to gain insight into what worked, what didn't, and why it did or didn't.
Use stories as vision tools. Invite the group to imagine the future of the team, the department, or the organization. Choose a date at some point in the future—1 year, 2 years, 5 years. Ask these questions to get people thinking and to create a visionary narrative:
- What will the new organization be like? Be as descriptive as possible.
- How will you be able to judge its success?
- What individuals (or teams) will others want to tell stories about? Why? (Be certain to ask someone to write the stories. Save them for future reference.)