The Power of Story

Last week was a nice reminder to us of what we call The Power of Story. It's not some mystical or “magic bullet” concept (and there is a lot of that going around about story these days). We conducted one of our signature StoryJams for a client who is developing a new resort-one that has both challenges and opportunities that are unlike any other and at a time in history when conditions are unprecedented.

There were 35 people in the group and they ranged in beliefs from “Let’s Go!” to “You gotta be kidding!”. Many, we were warned, were not into being “warm and fuzzy”. Cut to the bottom line, by noon the group was deliberately and creatively crafting this new resort. Effortlessly changing their own paradigms and willingly donning the guise of their guests as they took the plan to a new level. Some of the biggest and most thoughtful contributors? All of the people who we were told “might not get into it”.

In the other case, we got a chance to help an institution harvest and collect some of the core stories of their origins. This is, to us, sacred tribal knowledge and when the holders of it move on, retire or pass away, organizations can be forever disconnected from the stories that define their purpose. Not so in this case. Two great days of dialogue and sharing of stories from the people who made history for our client resulted in a cache of real treasure-now preserved and useful for generations. Two great stories we think!