The Power of Story
Yesterday I finished reading 'The Power of Story' by Jim Loer (non affiliate link: http://www.amazon.com/Power-Story-Rewrite-Destiny-Business/dp/0743294521).
The books primary argument is that human beings have an internal need to explain the things that happen to them. The stories we tell ourselves and others drive our behaviours, habits and perception of ourselves and others.
Loer presents a way to tell 'good stories' for both people and companies:
- Identify your ultimate mission in life, and then align those stories to it
- Make certain that these stories are true and not influenced by faulty storytelling, distortions, hidden conflicts or unconscious persuasion
These stories, Loer argues, will then lead to hope-inspired action that can effect change.
With each repetition of a story you tell yourself, that story travels your neural pathways more easily. Tell yourself that story again and again and again and soon enough those pathways that were once unpaved roads, metaphorically speaking, have now become slick six-lane superhighways.
My thoughts: Our "stories" form the reality in our lives, and so we can adapt and modify them to help us towards our goals. For instance, I would like to become a talented squash player but I am currently not very good. Instead of telling myself and others that 'Jordan is a bad squash player", I can tell myself or others "Jordan is gaining more experience playing squash, and is becoming a more talented squash player every time he plays." This statement encourages me to play, and to treat each game as an action towards my goal.
On an organizational level, we see why it is so important for companies to 'brainwash' their employees with values, vision and mission statements. By getting every entity within an organization telling the same story -- the actions of the whole will all be within alignment of the overarching stories. Thus, the organizations ultimate goal in life (i.e. its 5-10 year strategy) has a better chance of succeeding.
So, take a step back and look at the stories you tell yourself and others. Are they consistent with the goals and ultimate vision in life? Do your externally facing stories tell a different story than you tell yourself?
