8. Photoby(MickBaker)rooster/BYCC
In the worst case, a leader who dismisses the
stories being told within her organization could
find herself on the front page of the newspaper,
like in these recent headline-grabbing instances:
9. A culture of indifference and ineptitude
was revealed when a former
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
officer wrote a book that disclosed incidents of
theft, passenger harassment, and
irregular attention to security details.
PhotobygTarded/BYCC
10. Tweets by an
ex-employee of
GitHub about the
company’s extreme
alpha-male culture
resulted in the CEO’s
resignation.
PhotobyAntonioSilveira/BYCC
11. A culture of CYA (cover your a#*)
at General Motors caused dozens of
deaths and injuries before finally being exposed
during Congressional hearings.
PhotobyAnthony/BYCC
12. There’s a reason stories like these
capture the public’s attention:
they are vivid, first-hand examples.
specific
imagery
emotion-
filled
memorable
stories
13. Neither facts nor stories
are perfect.
Data can be manipulated.
Statistics can be skewed.
Stories can be exaggerated.
14. Where stories come out ahead
PhotobyAudriusJuralevicius/BYCC
and prompts action.
is their ability to evoke emotions,
which motivates a response
17. 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1 2 3 4
Lean Six Sigma Implementation Impact on Retention
retention efficiency
The desired cost savings
and efficiency achievements
were followed by a noticeable decline
in personnel retention rates.
18. Focus groups and surveys confirmed
that service members were being
driven away by the burdens and stress
of the aggressive new operating philosophy.
PhotobyLolaAudu/BYCC
19. Despite the facts,
the General remained
steadfastly committed
to his pet project,
blamingmid-level officers for
incompletely communicating
the program.
20. While the facts failed to be persuasive,
two stories changed the General’s mind.
A chief warrant
officer with 30
years of service
said she would
"kill her grandchild
first” before
allowing him to
join the Air Force.
A mid-career
officer complained
of having to dig
ditches on a new
base to use as
latrines because
paperwork had
delayed the
1 2
21. It was these two pieces of empirical data
that finally made the General reconsider
— and slow down — the aggressive
implementation of his
extreme efficiency measures.
PhotobyTomHall/BYCC
22. Smart leaders know the facts
and listen to stories.
Photobyjeronimosanzn/BYCC
25. Set the Right Tone
Employees have kept their stories
from you for a reason.
Start by establishing a zone of trust
by modeling the behavior.
Share your own story.
Because stories beget other stories,
starting with one yourself
will automatically set the tone
and will help others recall
their own stories to share.
Photobyalpaca/BYCC
26. Select the Right Time
Perhaps the story sharing takes place
at a designated time weekly, monthly, or daily.
Some hospitality workers start each shift with a team huddle.
An associate who demonstrated exceptional customer service
in their last shift is asked to explain what happened.
Pick a time that will provide inspiration at a key moment.
Photo by ddqhu / BY CC
27. Choose the Right Place
Our ability to recall memories
is improved when we return
to the scene of the occurrence.
Use this trick of the mind to your advantage.
Production line workers couldn’t recall
any stories while sitting
in the plant manager’s meeting room.
The memories were jarred
when the interviews were conducted
on the shop floor.
PhotobyThomasLeth-Olsen/BYCC
28. Ask the Right Questions
Story-eliciting questions help
your employees move
from opinions to facts,
from generalities to specifics, and
from abstractions to concreteness.
Ask follow-up questions
until you reach a specific,
emotion-filled moment.
The more specific you are
in your line of questioning,
the sooner you will jar a memory
that prompts a story.
PhotobyEthanLofton/BYCC
29. Practice, Practice
Story-listening is
a new skill,
so practice until you
have mastered it.
PhotobyDanielDavis/BYCC
The good news is that sharing stories is as informative as it is fun.
30. -Woodrow Wilson
The ear of the leader must
with the voice of the people.
RING
PhotobyMartinFisch/BYCC
31. Anyone can learn business storytelling...
…even Earl in accounting.
PhotobyRodrigoSa/BYCC
32. Program created by Anecdote, world-renowned business storytelling experts with +10 years of experience.
Their first U.S. partner is:
Here’s how:
33. Special Offer:
Free eBook
Request a copy of this new 47-page eBook written by my partners
info@connectedstrategygroup.com
or click the book cover to download now.
34. Let’s Connect
Amanda Marko
president & chief connection officer
Connected Strategy Group
@connectedstrat
amanda@connectedstrategygroup.com
www.connectedstrategygroup.com
Editor's Notes
Facts aren’t influential until they mean something
Stories provide the context, open minds
If you provide facts without a new story, then the new facts will be warped / accepted / rejected to fit the old story
Story let’s others do the work of interpreting the facts. This leads to ownership of the idea.
People value their own conclusions more highly than yours.
