Storytelling as a Tool to Develop Independent and Creative Employees

Gail sat at her desk and tried to stop shaking. Her boss had been sympathetic but firm. Gail’s staff had already been cut in half and now her training budget was being slashed again by a third. She took a deep breath, those left standing after the lay offs were having their positions redefined or combined into two and even three jobs. With everyone scared and stressed and just trying to survive, no one would be focusing on training. But Gail knew she was facing a larger issue – how to encourage the best in a rattled workforce, and bring demonstrated value to the company. With rumors of more lay-offs looming, she knew she’d better come up with answers, or her job might be the next to go.

Finding the strategies to help employees adjust to the requirements of this new economy is a challenge. How can we expect employees to be innovative, get ahead of the competition, solve problems creatively when they’re focused on surviving in this downsizing environment? The old tools – didactic presentations, strict content based formats and tired role plays are not adequate to encourage the development of motivated, self-directed and adaptable employees. Storytelling is a powerfully engaging tool that can connect individuals with their best authentic selves and their own experience of courageous action. With time and practice, these techniques can transform overwhelmed and fearful employees into an adaptable, creative and resilient workforce motivated to make things happen.

What this work IS:

• An experiential “how to” that stimulates our creative problem solving capacity

• A new lens into repetitive problems and issues

• A means to gain self-knowledge and self-respect in the work we do

• A tool to encourage authenticity with self and others

• A program to stimulate courageous action independent of hierarchical direction

Source References:

Terrence L. Gargiulo: “Making Stories: A Practical Guide for Organizational Leaders and HR Specialists”

Michael Rohd: Activated Scenes: “Theatre for Community, Conflict & Dialogue”

Annette Simmons: “The Story Factor – Inspiration, Influence and Persuasion Through the Art of Storytelling”

Kymberly Dakin is Executive Director of Short Fuse Interactive Inc. Her work brings the power of storytelling and theatre into experiential training formats in a variety of business and educational settings.  Through Short Fuse, she has developed training in leadership, communication, diversity, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment, as well as stress management, sales and customer service.  Repeat clients include: Pierce-Atwood, US Postal Service, York Hospital, Martin’s Point Healthcare, Maine General Hospital, Maine Veterans Homes, Gentle Giant -Boston, and Portland Water District.  Kym has her MEd in Adult Education through USM.

Janice Cohen is principal of Cohen Leadership Consulting. Janice offers leadership development programs to organizations for high potential leaders that include classroom, action learning and coaching. She has fifteen years experience as a leadership program developer, coach and consultant plus twenty years of experience as a leader in private, public and non-profit organizations. Janice designed and implemented a nationally recognized civic leadership program, the Institute for Civic Leadership in Portland, ME. She is an MTI certified mediator, ICF certified coach, facilitator, and certified to administer and interpret the LEA and MBTI. She has a B.S and MEd in education and was accepted Harvard mid-career in public administration.

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