This article - Using Stories to Overcome Fear - by Peter Guber on the HBR Blog network captures some of the popular discussion around the power of story in delivering and driving business results.
Do people in any organizations to which you belong live under the power of F.E.A.R?
I enjoyed this article, as I found it very thought provoking. While I have not witnessed the use of F.E.A.R in the organization I currently work for, I believe it could serve as a valuable catalyst for change. As Peter Guber discusses, using stories to leverage emotional reactions for change and development can have profound impacts on creating a more committed and productive workforce. Reflecting on the article, I can see how a well developed and delivered story could drive people within our organization to work towards a common purpose and improve our organization's performance.
ReplyDeleteThe article shows how people skills can be applied by taking positives. While working with Saudi Airlines, I had experienced such leadership from the Director of Productivity. Typically employees were reluctant to dedicate time for productivity projects and it was difficult to motivate them. In this case, Director of Productivity explained that if we do not implement poductivity projects and reduce our cost then someone else will do. At some point it might be too late to implement and company has to take harsh action that time such as layoffs. After his speech, he discussed with whole productivity group and asked all to emphasis this idea of taking initiative before someone else do. The FEAR of being less profitable or going out of business kept all employees engaged with productivity efforts.
ReplyDelete- Hussain AlMakrami
Stories and or analogies are a great means of conveying a message. Stories can help to displace fear as mentioned in the article via insight, inspiration, humor and or the dispelling of rumor and innuendo. I have found in twenty years of sales that using stories to relate to customers creates interest and value in another wise mundane business relationship. Most recently with the inflation in commodities pricing and the effects they were having on prices and consumer pressure; stories of the “old days” have been used to calm the masses from “What are we going to do?” to “Don’t worry we have been through worse!” Remember when… Insert Story!
ReplyDeleteThis article demonstrates the importance of communication and how success can be accomplished by sharing ideas. New ideas can be hard to grasp but in the end, we all as human beings, have to evolve. In the market place, new ideas are what project the future and profitability of a company. Communications also impacts the life of the people and stakeholders in the sense of security. As a worker, I would like to know the current status of the company I work for. If the company is somewhat unstable, as employees, we can all combine a series of ideas that may help the future of the company.
ReplyDeleteI liked the story in the article and never thought before of how important these stories can be in selling a new idea.
ReplyDeleteMy company relies on market studies, sales and numbers, mainly using facts rather than trying to involve the listeners emotionally in the proposal. It might have to do with the fact that it is a technical company and most people lack the narrative skill and are more comfortable stating facts.
As the author said there are many stories out there that we can use, but I think it helps when the speaker knows his audience and can pick which story they would relate with the most.
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ReplyDeleteSteve Weaver said...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this as well. It is these type of leaders/managers that are most successful because they have that ability to create and idea or thought that "sticks" similar to the book. It can be as simple as the food and homeless example or the saturated fat example in "Made To Stick" but the idea or message has to be something that the audience can easily relate to. When the audience can identify and relate to the message in some format or another I believe that your success rate of communication increases dramatically.