Storytelling as a Manager Coaching Technique LO9603
GROVER PARTEE (PARTEE.GROVER@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV)
Thu, 29 Aug 1996 19:44:08 -0400
Ken Gillespie (kgillesp@world2u.com) suggested a thread
about "storytelling." He still hasn't said exactly what he
might mean by that, but it seems to me it has to mean
something more than simply giving examples -- maybe
even especially NOT "real-life" examples. Those are
certainly valuable as well as perhaps some confirmation of
the facilitator's competence to "teach" experienced
managers. But examples, for all their utility, don't generally
have the "punch" of a good myth. The value of a myth
seems to be that it encourages us to step into a role within
the mythic framework so that the myth becomes a part of our
experience rather than just a nice story we heard.
There also seems to be some value in encouraging others
to "tell their stories" as a part of a group learning
experience. It's a matter of my sharing "who I am" with
others while they share who they are with me which builds
the common sense of "who we are." Such stories certainly
involve some recitation of facts (birthdate & place,
education, prior jobs, etc.) but also get into my internal
reactions (e.g., feelings.)
-
Grover Partee
Seattle, WA
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