Do you remember the story of the two goats who decide to cross the bridge at the same time? There is room for only one of them on the bridge. Neither of them want to make may way for the other. They get into a head butt & eventually fall off into the river!
Now imagine this scene in your organisation.
Replace the goats with individuals who meet at the crossroads of a decision. Perhaps they are two influencers, decision makers, key stakeholders who MUST be aligned to make things move.
What if the have chosen to disagree with one another?
When you think of the two, consider their:
- Backstories
- Hierarchies
- Experience
- Credibility
- Character Traits
- Vested Interests
- Talents
- Limitations
- Mindset
- Biases
How do you then align the two to come to a common bridge and cross it peacefully?
How do you ensure that they do not get into a head-butt and topple one another?
Sounds familiar?
Last week, at a Business Storytelling Training, I asked my participants to create scenarios where storytelling will be a vital tool of intervention. Since I was training participants to be ‘Story Trainers’ in their organisation, I had to help them identify nooks and corners of everyday business where stories can help make quick decisions and actions.
One of the participants asked,
“Can storytelling help us do our 1-on-1 reviews differently?”
Yes, it can!
Instead of telling them what to do, I did it #TheStoriedWay
The relationship between the Storyteller & the Listener is no different than a Manager & his / her team member. If one stands on the teller’s podium then its natural to think of oneself as the more powerful one. The thin is that, irrespective of who is the storyteller in a room, everyone comes in with a sense of power or ego in some form or the other.
This is where I have to handle the biggest challenge as a Story Trainer.
I have to enable the Storyteller (in-making) to manage his / her ego while storytelling! When you tell a story, you become one of the goats on the bridge. The other is your listener. If you are NOT mindful of the other goat, then neither of you will cross the bridge!
Storytelling is all about power dynamics. You think you are in power. But it is really your listener who yields more power in an exchange. Unless your listener listens, your telling will make no sense at all!
In every training, I slot a 1-on-1 Story Bridge activity. It’s a simple exercise where people are paired to take turns in being the listener and teller. It is so private that it is almost like having a heart-to-heart conversation.
It is the most intimate form of storytelling, where participants are given a story trajectory and asked to share stories with one another. So they ideally get to share ‘similar’ stories following a route map / milestones that I set for them. I build that common ground for them, now it is up to them to use their stories to build connection.
While participants tell their stories (and practice the art), they simultaneously observe the science in it. Each participant is directed to ‘stay in the moment’ and focus on themselves as Storyteller AND as Listener, documenting the tiniest of things that was running their mind, heart and body. They learn to understand their own ’ and acknowledge how do they respond when they find a willing listener vis-a-vis a disconnected listener. As a result, what impact does this have on them, their story and their telling, the purpose of their telling in the first place!
I dislike ‘wasteful storytelling’! In fact I warn people about telling a story without a purpose, intention, design and objective. In the business world, you don’t have time to tell a story and let it go waste! My fear is that if your story doesn’t land on its target, you will stop telling stories at the workplace! And hence I am obsessed with teaching you to direct your story with a strategy! This exercise of the Story Bridge helps each storyteller and listener value the importance of active and purposeful listening and telling. No one takes the other for granted and you realise how valuable it is to have both on the same bridge. If you want to be telling stories, you have to earn the trust and support of the listener first!
Do you want to try this out in your organisation?
Begin by listening to the Story Twins – 2 Goats on a Bridge on our podcast, Golpo: Stories from Around the World
Stories that trigger conversations in the Classrooms, Living Room & BoardroomThis episode will have cues about HOW you can use this story to trigger conversations between the two goats in your organisation. If you are one of them, then take the lead to tell THIS story first and allow your listener to share his / her story next. When they tell, you are on the Story Bridge, so remember to balance your own weight of bias, prejudice and opinions.
You both need to pass the bridge peacefully, make a decision, and meet another day on the bridge!
Good Luck!
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P.S: If you happen to listen to the story and / or use it at work, drop me a line!
