True tales and tall tales - The power organizational storytelling

The article opens with an analogy about our understanding of camels-through stories about them-to illustrate how we come to have common conceptions. I t follows that storytelling can enhance people's understanding of an organi zation's history and values. Kaye and Jacobson describe the typical sequence in storytelling: the story (someone tells it and someone listens); the understanding (the listeners an d the teller begin to understand something that was known only superficiall y before); and the shared meaning (people use their shared understanding as a kind of metaphor or shorthand towards a wider understanding of other thi ngs). Organizational stories impart in a vivid, memorable way the behind-the-scen es events that result in outcomes and illuminate options for handling probl ems. They help people learn from past experience-their own and that of othe rs. Storytelling isn't new; managers have told "war stories" for ages. But storytelling is being recognized more frequently as an effective organizati onal tool and means of communication for leaders. Storytelling helps build leadership. Stories can capture and pass along traditions, vision, beliefs, and priorities. They can also foster shared meaning and purpose among empl oyees and enhance their self-knowledge. The article describes different types of stories and includes tips on how t o create a repertoire.