The New Narrative Age,
“This new cultural phenomenon is virtually changing today’s organization’s fundamental approach to training, learning, knowledge transfer, strategy, change, performance, and competitiveness. Conceptually, the “narrative age” recognizes the implicit value of knowledge,” [in any given group].

In essence – we know it’s there – we can’t readily get at it – and if we do, we are unable to translate the knowledge a way that is useful to those who need it, to move from data as information to knowledge as business intelligence. We are overwhelmed by an unending streams of data (like Google search results 50,000 or more). What we used to call plan old storytelling, is now know as the Narrative; regardless what it’s called, it can be used to record different viewpoints and interpret data to identify similarities and differences in experiences and actions. The Ryan Group has developed software to help organizations tap their information and weave it into a cohesive, dynamic narrative.

It’s basically a simple idea, as old as the time. We like stories. I know, I’d learn more from a company, or an association, or a school’s story, with characters and and challenges and mistakes and victory’s, than an annual report or operations manual anyday! It makes sense when you think that we all, people all over the world have had our parents and our teachers have told us stories to illustrate morals and values. Many engaging and memorable commercials tell us a story. I remember “Mean Joe Green & Coke” or my favorite was the “Taster’s Choice Couple,” and who didn’t love “Life’s Mickey?”  Seth Godin puts it superbly…“The best stories don’t teach people anything new. Instead, the best stories agree with what the audience already believes and makes the members of the audience feel smart and secure when reminded how right they were in the first place.”  With innovation’s like the Ryan Group’s, I think we’ll be hearing and reading alot more company’s stories, and if we’re smart, learning to tell them too.

Leadership Development – Continual growth is the underlying implication. Developing leadership skills is an ongoing process, not a destination. The skills you gain today to build your business, can be used tomorrow to design a wholly different picture of the life you may want after 50, OR after the kids are grown. Tools you can gain proficiency in, to build a state-of-the-art IT Department OR advance a favorite charity — to become a successful leader who inspires others in the pursuit of a vision, whether it’s economic business success or it’s building a hospital in Romania.

Effective Leaders …

* are motivated by and communicate values
* set direction, articulate the vision
* have resilience
* are self aware & can self manage
* seek information
* their strength of resolve support accountability
* open to innovation & creativity
* encourage & empower others
* have a Can-Do attitude

I thought this perspective would be useful in my work, as Seth Godin says, “Marketers are just good storytellers!” When I work with a client, whether business consulting or coaching, it begins with listening for “their story” It’s always the story that brings their situation to life. We can talk about strategy and goals, but it’s the story that tells me what tactics are really in play. I digress. So, I went to take some classes, and I did, some great classes:
Interviewing & Oral History Techniques in Gathering Stories
The Use of Movement, Gestures, & Humor In Storytelling
Use Storytelling to Calm Fears, and Overcome Everyday Obstacles

I know the ideas and examples, that were shared, will benefit my clients and audiences. If you ever have to make a point memorable or demonstrate values then storytelling is the best way to draw a picture that will have lasting meaning and inspiration in it.

I have to say though that the best parts of the weekend were listening to exceptional Tellers share their stories! Pam Faro, was one of my favorites! If you get the chance to hear her, don’t miss it! In a world that too often overwhelms us with media that invades our space, listening to a well-crafted, well-told story, exercises the imagination muscles and we can all use that. And if that story tells of our past, or reminds us of a beloved person, that’s something to be counted as a real treasure!
Pam says, “Do you want to create a better world? — It starts with imagination…
When stories are shared—relationship is born, empathy is nurtured, community is possible.”
Thank you Pam and all the Conference Tellers!