Copyright 2008 Polaris Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. 1

Storytelling At WorkStorytelling At WorkA Powerful Tool for A Powerful Tool for

Performance Improvement Performance Improvement ProfessionalsProfessionals

Karen Dietz, PhDKaren Dietz, PhDwww.polaris-associates.comwww.polaris-associates.com

2Copyright 2008 Polaris Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

5 Topics For Today5 Topics For Today

1.1. How & Why Stories WorkHow & Why Stories Work

2.2. Application ChartApplication Chart

3.3. Tools & ProcessesTools & Processes

4.4. EffectivenessEffectiveness

5.5. Quality & EthicsQuality & Ethics

3Copyright 2008 Polaris Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

How & Why Stories WorkHow & Why Stories Work

The Art of StoryThe Art of Story What happened?What happened?

The Science of StoryThe Science of Story Natural languageNatural language NeuroscienceNeuroscience Whole brain, whole bodyWhole brain, whole body Definition -- Definition -- an act of communication an act of communication

providing people with packets of sensory providing people with packets of sensory material -- allowing them to quickly and material -- allowing them to quickly and easily internalize the material, easily internalize the material, comprehend it, and create meaning from comprehend it, and create meaning from it.it.

What does this mean for us?What does this mean for us?

4Copyright 2008 Polaris Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

Story Application Story Application SpectrumSpectrum

5Copyright 2008 Polaris Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sample Tools, ProcessesSample Tools, Processes Future StoryFuture Story ScenariosScenarios Appreciative InquiryAppreciative Inquiry VisioningVisioning Ethnographic InterviewingEthnographic Interviewing Springboard Stories – Springboard Stories – The The

SpringboardSpringboard by Stephen by Stephen DenningDenning

Case StudiesCase Studies Learning Histories – Art Learning Histories – Art

KleinerKleiner Anecdote Circles -- Anecdote Circles -- http://http://

www.anecdote.com.au/index.www.anecdote.com.au/index.phpphp

Jump Start Storytelling -- Jump Start Storytelling -- http://www.anecdote.com.au/http://www.anecdote.com.au/archives/2008/04/jumpstart_starchives/2008/04/jumpstart_story.htmlory.html

Sharing CirclesSharing Circles Story AssessmentsStory Assessments

Stories as Core Stories as Core CompetenceCompetence

6Copyright 2008 Polaris Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

Story EffectivenessStory Effectiveness What is a story?What is a story?

Anecdote, example, vignette, etc.Anecdote, example, vignette, etc. Personal story, 3Personal story, 3rdrd person, tale person, tale

Working With StoriesWorking With Stories FindingFinding DiggingDigging SelectingSelecting CraftingCrafting Sharing/embodyingSharing/embodying

MediaMedia – oral, written, audio, video, poster, icon – oral, written, audio, video, poster, icon

7Copyright 2008 Polaris Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

Quality & EthicsQuality & Ethics QualityQuality

Formal Story TrainingFormal Story Training – oral storytelling, acting, – oral storytelling, acting, entertainment, improv, presentation/speaking skills, digital entertainment, improv, presentation/speaking skills, digital media, writing, academics, ethnographic research, narrative media, writing, academics, ethnographic research, narrative researchresearch

ExperienceExperience – in organizations – in organizations Participation in org story professional communitiesParticipation in org story professional communities – –

Worldwide Story Work, Storytelling in Organizations SIG, Worldwide Story Work, Storytelling in Organizations SIG, Golden Fleece, Professional StorytellerGolden Fleece, Professional Storyteller

Continual learningContinual learning – in storytelling, org narratives, OD, etc.– in storytelling, org narratives, OD, etc.

EthicsEthics Do no harmDo no harm RespectRespect – appreciative listening, audience, and the story, no – appreciative listening, audience, and the story, no

over-storying (Swift Boat Veterans For Truth)over-storying (Swift Boat Veterans For Truth) PermissionsPermissions

8Copyright 2008 Polaris Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

ContactContactKaren Dietz, PhDKaren Dietz, PhD

Polaris Associates ConsultingPolaris Associates Consulting

San Diego, CA 92102San Diego, CA 92102

619-235-0052619-235-0052

www.polaris-associates.comwww.polaris-associates.com

kda@polaris-associates.comkda@polaris-associates.com

Karen is an organizational Karen is an organizational development professional development professional

specializing in stories. She is a specializing in stories. She is a business consultant, facilitator, business consultant, facilitator,

trainer, storyteller, story coach to trainer, storyteller, story coach to senior executives, and the former senior executives, and the former Executive Director of the National Executive Director of the National

Storytelling Network. She has Storytelling Network. She has worked with organizations for worked with organizations for

over 25 years, and clients include over 25 years, and clients include Fortune 500 companies, business Fortune 500 companies, business

leaders, and community leaders, and community advocates.advocates.