Telling Your Story: Why Technical Services Matters Tricia Bengel, Emily Bergman, and Kate Marek

First bulletin of the first graduate department of the library school; the undergraduate department began in 1930 with the work of a few Sisters. Sr, Reparata and Sister Murray

“To change minds, you must change hearts.” -- John Kotter John Kotter quote about leading change; discussion of “confirmation bias” where research shows people listen to data to reinforce what they already think. Stories can help shift people out of their assumptions. And, John Kotter: People change what they do less because they are given analysis that shifts their thinking than because they are shown a truth that influences their feelings.

+ Most effective – head AND heart.

+ Many would say touch the heart first, and reinforce with data.

Why story? Oldest way of communicating Using stories to Teach Share culture Can reach us both intellectually and emotionally

The Power of Story Meaningful Memorable Provide connections to characters Make sense of complex ideas Give vision to what the future can look like

“Stickiness” Image of sticky tape

What is Organizational Storytelling? Focused on key areas of of the organization rather than on “traditional” storytelling “Beware the well-told story” (Stephen Denning) Using stories in professional communication / getting away from the 20th century emphasis on pragmatism, analysis, and standardization; emotions were seen as a distraction rather than a reality of human understanding and commitment.

Organizational Storytelling John Kotter The Heart of Change Our Iceberg is Melting Our Iceberg is Melting: A fable staring penguins as the main characters; when one penguin noticed signs the iceberg was melting, the penguin colony had to make a move.

Organizational Storytelling Annette Simmons The Story Factor Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins Annette Simmons writes about leadership and the importance of story to share information about yourself and the organization.

A Story is being told … Annette Simmons: Whoever tells the best story wins And – A story is being told, whether you are the one telling it or not.

Change the narrative … Tell a new story. Michelle Obama’s recent speech to a group of graduating high school students on Chicago’s south side “People are hearing a skewed story … change the narrative,”

Organizational Storytelling Stephen Denning The Springboard The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling Stephen Denning talks about the power of story to convince stakeholders of new concepts and to inspire new ways of thinking. In many ways his work is most directly relevant to “telling the technical services story.” What is /// What could be /// what is /// what could be Zambia story

Organizational Storytelling What is … What could be… Stephen Denning talks about the power of story to convince stakeholders of new concepts and to inspire new ways of thinking. In many ways his work is most directly relevant to “telling the technical services story.” What is /// What could be /// what is /// what could be Zambia story

Organizational Storytelling Nancy Duarte The Secret Structure of Great Talks (TED Talk) What is /// What could be /// what is /// what could be /// repetition, metaphors, visual word, familiar, relatable illustrations /// MLK Jr “The Negro people have been issued a bad check … but we have come to cash that check….” Abraham Lincoln, Marin Luther King, Jr., and Steve Jobs

What is /// what could be //

Storytelling for .. . Leadership Change Advocacy Community building Knowing more about effective communication can help in many ways in the workplace --

What about you? Why are you here? What would you like to learn about organizational storytelling?

Storytelling for .. . Leadership Change Advocacy Community building Organizational values Communicating data

What Makes a Good Story? Introduction to the next few slides

Story Components The traditional story structure Beginning, middle, end (BME) Characters, often even a hero Conflict Resolution One option – traditional story structure

Others Kinds of Story The Springboard Story Stephen Denning From Stephen Denning -- Brief story, then a “what could be” / “what if we could” statement

Leadership Stories Who I am Why I’m here Vision story Teaching stories Values-in-action stories From Annette Simmons, “The Story Factor” -- give brief examples of each type of story

Data Visualization Communicating actionable data Making sense from complexity Highlighting patterns Giving life to data and facts Tableau article

Know Your Audience

Images, Memories, Taking Notes, Listening Story triggers

Developing the Skill Set Be authentic Be accurate, but think in terms of a painting rather than a photograph Be yourself Consider your audience and consider your goals Be brief; Be careful of TMI ! Be consistent and on point Listen Practice

Listening / Sharing Honoring the Past as we move to the Future

Try It! Think of a person or group that could be your audience. What story would you like to tell that audience?

Try It! #2 Take a data report or a fact that you have in mind. How could you make that personal, relatable, and emotional? How could you take that data to construct a Springboard Story?

Kate Marek kmarek@dom.edu