I Use Stories... LO15884

mrawlins@ilhawaii.net
Wed, 19 Nov 1997 03:13:53 -1000 (HST)

Replying to LO15827 --

It is really late and I can't sleep so I am moved to break my lurkers code
of non-involvement and respond. : )

In regards to clarifying processes and systems, Scott mentions using the
square wheel approach. It sounds interesting.

I use stories.

H. Gardner writes that "leaders achieve their effectiveness chiefly
through the stories they relate." There seems to be something in the
fabric of each person's being that a story, if written well, can touch,
communicate with and start up discussion. Look at the explosion of Chicken
soup for the soul and everything else they can think of. (Most of these
have emotional appeal, but no key point to hang a discussion on.)

Once discussion is jump started you have the beggining of a group
explorying a shared meaning together. The stories I use are abigious
enough, yet with a point so that they have to explore the meaning together
and work towards shared understanding. If you can get them to see
indirectly that meaning is not something that automatically happens it
opens a door for them to explore meaning in different ways on more
personal issues.

I would be glad to put one on the list or send some out privately if
anyone is interested. They are only a page and a half long usually.

[Host's Note: Matt, let's give it a try. Would you share one of your
stories and tell us how you use it. ...Rick]

Matt Rawlins

-- 

mrawlins@ilhawaii.net

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>