storytelling as a leadership tool 12-8-15--northwestern-spertus

Copyright 2015 by Lynn Hazan & Associates • lhazan.com

Storytelling as a Leadership Skill

Leadership & Communication ClassNorthwestern & Spertus Lynn Hazan & Associates


Shema in sign language

Shema Yirael Adonay Eloheyna Adonay Elchad


Why Shema in sign?

Many ways to tell a story Verbal/nonverbal


Shema - Central Prayer of Jewish People

Shema Yirael Adonay Eloheyna Adonay Elchad

AM-PM Only 6 words Easy to learn, easy to repeat


“God made man because he loves

stories.”

Elie Wiesel


Parallel with Jewish People

One people, many voices We are a storytelling people Building community


God

Torah

Jewish People

FoodKashrut

Culture & Civilization

traditions / history / artistic expressions

LanguageHebrew / Yiddish / Ladino

LandIsrael / Diaspora


Torah Torah Shebichtav (תורה שבכתב,

"Torah that is written”)

Torah Shebe'al Peh ( תורה שבעל”Torah that is spoken" ,פה– word of mouth, generation to

generation, embodied in the Talmud למוד) Bת) and Midrash (מדרש) .


“Torat Chayeinu: Our Stories, Our Journey”

Beth Emet The Free Synagogue’s theme for 5771

Member stories- tapes http://www.bethemet.org


The Hemmingway Challenge:Write a story in 6 words


“For Sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.”


What’s your Story as a Leader/Mission of your org? Write your story in only SIX words

LH story as:– Recruiter : (Passionate recruiter loves placing

superb talent)– Storyteller : (Inspired storyteller collects

global Jewish stories)


Why storytelling?

Narrative- sticky in the brain Appeal to emotions If it’s memorable, it’s remembered


Why storytelling?

Authentic Honest, transparent Builds trust It’s repeatable


Why Leadership Communications?

What are givens:– Unprecedented change– Complexity– Fear


We live in VUCA times…

V- Volatile U- Uncertain C- Complex A- Ambiguous

Derived from military vocabulary in the 1990’s


Antidote to VUCA

Vision Understanding Clarity Agility


David Henderson on storytelling:1. Emotional

2. Logical

3. Analytical


David Henderson on storytelling: Human dimension Bonding Shared experience Risky because imperfect


“Leadership is essentially a task of persuasion, of winning people’s minds and

hearts.”

Stephen Denning


7 Story Types: Who we are - Identity Springboard - Spark action Transmit values Communicate who the firm is (Branding) Foster collaboration Tame the grapevine Share knowledge

The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative, Stephen Denning


1. Who we are – Identity

Example: Lynn tells story


1. Who we are - Identity

Your Story-Your OrgBuild trust-get to know person, background and history


2. Springboard

Spark Action-springboard story-visualize large-scale transformation, act to realize it

Example: Lynn – NACOEJ – Ethiopia


3. Transmit Values

Feels familiar to audience, rings a bell. Prompts discussion.

Example: Mitzvot


Mitzvot = Values in Action

© Mitzvah Cards by Reclaiming Judaism, 2011


Streetwise Video

https://vimeo.com/141262109 StreetWise 2015 Gala Film from

Pon Angara on Vimeo.

https://vimeo.com/141262109

https://vimeo.com/141262109

https://vimeo.com/user15814941

https://vimeo.com/


7 Core Values – McLane Co.

Respect for Individual Effective Communications Pride Creating Environment for Personal Growth Open Door Policy Teamwork Commitment


Most Important Core Values – Zappos “Deliver WOW through service” Pursue growth & learning Create fun & a little weirdness Embrace & drive change


What are your organization’s core values? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.


4. Communicate who the firm is - Branding

“Our people transformed an idea into a legend. That legend will continue to grow only so long as it is nourished by our people’s indomitable spirit, boundless energy, immense goodwill and burning desire to excel.” - Herb Kelleher


Mission Statement

“We believe in the power of science, exploration , and storytelling to change the

world.”

Science, exploration, storytelling Change the world


What is your Org’s Brand?

Can you state it? Is it memorable? Do your members/clients/funders relate? Inspires action?


Be a Leader

Adaptive capacity Shared meaning or common vision Distinctive and compelling voice Do the right thing Sense of integrity

From Geeks and Geezers: How Era, Values and Defining Moments Shape Leaders, by Warren G. Bennis and Robert J. Thomas


Could this be you? Could this be your organization?


5. Foster collaboration


7. Share knowledge

Example: Walgreens - Former CEO sharing story about employees and the prom


“Management fads come and go, but storytelling has been around forever. If

telling stories has lasted this long, there is probably something to it.”

David Armstrong, CEO: Armstrong Industries from Managing by Storying Around


Storytelling at your non-profit

Brainstorm how storytelling can be used as leadership tools for your organizations


Techniques for In-Person Storytelling

Tone of voice - avoid monotone-modulate Facial Expressions, gestures, posture Eye Contact Don’t hide behind the podium The uncrowded stage: you own the space


The Music of Storytelling

Transitions Pauses Rhythm and tempo, repetition Integrate with music Appeal to the five senses


Your Storytelling Practice

Practice makes perfect Develop your own style Rehearse in front of the mirror Incubate- ideas, techniques gel It’s okay to make mistakes 30 sec, 60 sec Smile!


The Aha Moment: How to Source Material

Content is all around you Interview your execs It’s a process, step by step Success breeds success Top-down and bottom-up Walk around management style


We Remember…

50% of what we see and hear

90% of what we teach

20% of what we hear

30% of what we see


Components of a StoryThink of the 5 W’s

Structure: beginning, middle, end Issue: conflict, drama, problem Character: staff, president, clients Location: at work, synagogue, on the road Time: day, night, holiday, season Resolution: happy ending or not


Themes

The Journey Employee as Hero Transformation Overcoming Adversity Collaboration Pressing issues for your org


Footsteps Activity


It’s a Process over Time

Your mirror = reflection, says it all Start in small doses Experiment-Define broadly Incubate - ideas, techniques gel


Your Story is Your Friend

Authentic Be in the Moment Be a sounding board to each other Get a Coach


Your 3 Minute Pitch:Raise $, Get Volunteers, Advocacy Close your eyes Think of incident that impacted on you W5- Who, What, When? Where? Why? What feelings or emotions came up? Resolution?


Paired Share with your Neighbor Remember your 5 senses Keep it simple What kind of story do you want to tell? Give your story a title


Evaluate Your Story

Why did I tell the story? Believable? Relate to it? Human element? How did it feel to be the listener?


Follow up webinar: For additional information on Storytelling Techniques

http://www.slideshare.net/search/slideshow?searchfrom=header&q=Enhancing+your+Storytelling+Techniques




Resources

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, Barack Obama

Have a Kind Week, Dan Jorndt The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the

Art and Discipline of Business Narrative, Stephen Denning

Managing by Storying Around: A New Method of Leadership, David Armstrong

The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence and Results in a Competitive World, David Henderson


COMPLETE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Armstrong, David M. Managing by Storying Around: A New Method of Leadership. Armstrong International. Three Rivers, 1999.

Clark, Evelyn. Around the Corporate Campfire: How Great Leaders Use Stories to Inspire Success. Insight Publishers, 2004.

Delong, David. "Lost Knowledge: Confronting the Threat of an Aging Workforce". Oxford University Press, USA, 2004.

Denning, Stephen. The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative. Jossey-Bass, 2005.

Denning, Stephen. The Springboard: How Storytelling Ignites Action in Knowledge-Era Organizations. Butterworth Heinemann, Boston, 2001.

Denning, Stephen. Squirrel Inc.: A Tale About Leadership Through Storytelling. Jossey-Bass, 2004.

Fulford, Robert. The Triumph of Narrative: Storytelling in the Age of Mass Culture. Broadway, 2001.

Gabriel, Yannis. Storytelling in Organizations: Facts, Fictions, and Fantasies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Golden Fleece/StoryAtWork See video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bov0jWceZOk

Henderson, David:Blog: www.davidhenderson.comBook site: www.mediasavvyleader.com (e-book-free download)The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence and Results in a Competitive World,Robert Reed Publishers, 2009.

Kahan, Seth. www.sethkahan.com

Lipman, Doug. Improving Your Storytelling: Beyond the Basics for All Who Tell Stories in Work or Play. August House Publishers, Inc. Little Rock, 1999.

Lipman, Doug. The Storytelling Coach: How to Praise, and Bring out People’s Best.August House Publishers, Inc. Little Rock, 1995.

Maxwell, Richard & Dickman, Robert: The Elements of Persuasion: Use Storytelling to Pitch Better, Sell Faster & Win more Business. Collins, NY, 2007.

Mayer, Laurie (editor) Have a Kind Week: A Collection of Dan Jorndt's Monday Morning Jolts 1997-2002. Walgreens. Deerfield, IL. 2003

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bov0jWceZOk

http://www.mediasavvyleader.com/

http://www.sethkahan.com/


Margolis, Michael: Believe Me the Book. October 2009.

Mooney, Bill and David Holt. The Storyteller’s Guide: Storytellers Share Advice for the Classroom, Boardroom, Showroom, Podium, Pulpit and Center Stage. Little Rock, August House, 1996.

Neuhauser, Peg. Corporate Legends and Lore: The Power of Storytelling as a Management Tool. McGraw-Hill, 1993.

Obama, Barack. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. Three Rivers Press, 2004.

Read MacDonald, Margaret. The Storyteller’s Start Up Book. August House, 1993.

Sawyer, Ruth. The Way of the Storyteller. Penguin, 1977.

Simmons, Annette. The Story Factor: The Secrets of Influence from the Art of Storytelling. Basic Books, 2006.

“StreetWise 2015 Gala Film.” Vimeo. Web. 7 Nov. 2015. <https://vimeo.com/141262109>

Winsor, John. Beyond the Brand: Why Engaging the Right Customers is Essential to Winning in Business. Dearborn Trade, 2004.

Online Resources:Exley, Jack: Stories and Numbers-A Closer Look at Camp Obamahttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/zack-exley/stories-and-numbers-a-c_b_62278.html

GetStoried.com: Michael Margolis’ website on applied storytelling. Lots of resources and articles.

Hansen, Katharine: A Storied Career: Kathy Hansen’s Blog to explore traditional and post modern forms/uses of storytelling http://astoriedcareer.com/StoriedCareers1stEdition.pdf ( free e-book).

“Make-A-Wish Is Telling New Stories with Audience Personas.” The See3 Blog RSS, 2015. http://blog.see3.com/how-make-a-wish-is-telling-new-stories-with-audience-personas/.

Storybest: "social content network" based on coRank. It's a place where people submit, share, vote and promote stories about a particular topic, project, community, etc.http://storybest.corank.com

Storytelling-in-business.com: Doug Stevenson, Story Theater International.

Storytop.com: Online tool to create multi-media page stories, use drag and drop clip art, add text in dialog boxes, create storytelling clubs. A favorite site for teachers.

WorkingStories mailing [email protected]://lists.gjhost.com/mailman/listinfo/workingstories

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zack-exley/stories-and-numbers-a-c_b_62278.html

http://astoriedcareer.com/StoriedCareers1stEdition.pdf

http://blog.see3.com/how-make-a-wish-is-telling-new-stories-with-audience-personas/

http://www.corank.com/


Go forth and tell!

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