Shape a Successful Company Culture By Telling The Perfect Story with Karen Eber
Sep 18, 2023
auto_awesome
Karen Eber, author and consultant, discusses the transformative power of storytelling in molding organizational culture. She emphasizes the role of open dialogue and psychological assurance in creating an effective workforce. They also explore the relationship between brain science and storytelling, and how personal stories can add authenticity and dimension to professional interactions.
Utilizing storytelling techniques that align with the brain's factory settings can create engaging and impactful narratives.
Instead of rigid storytelling structures, embracing simplicity and flexibility allows for authentic and meaningful storytelling.
Striking a balance between personalization and accessibility in storytelling leads to engaging and relatable stories.
Deep dives
The Power of Storytelling and its Impact on the Brain
Storytelling is a powerful tool that can create connections and engage the brain. By understanding the five factory settings of the brain lazy, assumptions, library of files, in groups and out groups, and seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, we can craft stories that capture attention and make a lasting impact. These settings inform the choices we make in our stories, from how we structure them to the emotions we evoke. By harnessing the science behind storytelling, we can create stories that resonate with our audience and drive action.
Challenging the Traditional Storytelling Models
Traditional storytelling models like the hero's journey can be rigid and restrictive, making it difficult for individuals to fit their stories into a predefined structure. Instead, it is important to focus on simple storytelling concepts and structures that can be easily adapted to different contexts and individuals. This allows storytellers to create stories that are authentic and meaningful, without feeling the need to conform to a specific formula. By embracing simplicity and flexibility, storytellers can create stories that truly connect with their audience.
Making Stories Personal and Accessible
Every person has their own set of experiences and perspectives that shape their stories. It is important to recognize that personal doesn't mean private, and that we all have the capacity to tell great stories. When crafting a story, it is crucial to make it personal by incorporating our own unique perspectives and experiences. However, it's also important to make the story accessible to the audience, connecting it to what they already know and understand. By striking the right balance between personalization and accessibility, storytellers can create engaging and relatable stories.
Understanding the Economics of Attention
Our brains are wired to conserve energy and make assumptions to avoid cognitive overload. To capture and maintain attention, storytellers need to understand the economics of attention. This includes making the story engaging enough to overcome the brain's natural laziness and incorporating unexpected elements that challenge assumptions. Additionally, leveraging the brain's library of experiences and emotions can help to create connections and activate the long-term memory. By considering the economics of attention, storytellers can create stories that hold the audience's interest and leave a lasting impact.
Creating Stories that Evoke Connection and Empathy
Human brains are wired to seek in groups and out groups, and storytelling can tap into this natural inclination. By crafting stories that make the audience feel like a member of an in-group, or highlighting differences that create empathy for out-group members, storytellers can create connections and foster a sense of belonging. Additionally, stories that evoke pleasure and positivity are more likely to resonate with the brain and encourage action. By understanding these cognitive and emotional factors, storytellers can create stories that engage and connect with their audience.
Do you want to create a thriving company culture that leads to maximum productivity and efficiency? Are you seeking a solution to shape a positive work environment that drives success? Look no further!
Karen Eber is an author, consultant, keynote speaker, and thought leader on organizational culture. Having honed her skills in psychology, Karen took her insight to the business world, accelerating learning and performance in formidable companies such as HP and Deloitte. Deeply passionate about creating dialogues and connections at the workplace, her love for storytelling has become a compass guiding her career in leadership development. With wisdom culled from her personal life experiences and professional journey, her perspectives on work culture remain profound, inspiring, and full of humanity.
In this episode, you will learn how to:
Understand the transformative power of narratives in molding the essence of an organization and its efficiency.
Lean on the pivotal role of open dialogue and psychological assurance in creating a highly effective workforce.
Recognize the importance of laying a positivity-centric cultural foundation right from the outset.
Explore how personal stories engulfing professional experiences can instill authenticity and add dimension to official interactions.
Leverage the intriguing relationship between brain science and storytelling, and how to refine your narrative techniques for maximum impact.