The recent thoughts about narratives and their importance to
organizations had me pulling out a favorite article by Neil Postman in the
December 1989 Atlantic Monthly. He was reviewing two books I enjoy
disliking: Cultural Literacy, and The Closing of the American Mind. Here
is what he said about stories and their significance:
"Human beings require stories to give meaning to their existence. I am not
talking here about those specialized stories that we call novels, plays,
and epic poems. I am talking about the more profound stories that people,
nations, religions, and disciplines unfold in order to make sense out of
the world. For example, ever since we can remember, all of us have been
telling ourselves stories about ourselves, composing lifegiving
autobiographies of which we are the heroes and heroines. If our stories
are coherent and plausible and have continuity, they will help us to
understand why we are here, and what we need to pay attention to and what
we may ignore. A story provides a structure for our perceptions; only
through stories do facts assume any meaning whatsoever. This is why
children everywhere ask, as soon as they have the command of language to
do so, "Where did I come from?" and, shortly after, "What will happen when
I die?" They require a story to give meaning to their existence. Without
air, our cells die. Without a story, our selves die."
I agree with Postman. (He credits this formulation to his colleague
Christine Nystrom). The implications for organizations is strong. I
believe that to affect any lasting change there must be a shared creation
of a compelling story that people can engage with, see themselves in. Many
times I bet that articulating the 'old story', or how we use to be, is a
helpful step in creating the new story.
I have found archetypal stories helpful in individual development
and I believe there would be similar benefits for organizations.
--
best to all, Fran Alexander
Fjalex@aol.com