| Storytelling and openness to change: de Bono |
Edward de Bono eloquently explains the difficulties that we encounter
when we try to catalyze change and innovation:
“Perhaps the greatest dangers of those of arrogance, complacency and the ability to defend that arrogance and complacency. An acknowledgment of inadequacy is a prelude to change. A defense of arrogance is a denial of any need to change…. Every belief system sets up a framework of perception within which it cannot be attacked. The arrogance of logic means that if we have a logically impeccable argument then we must be right – “I am right – you are wrong”. Yet the value of any conclusion depends on both the validity of the logic and also the validity of the starting perceptions and values.” (de Bono, p 27)The difficulty of reconsidering fundamental assumptions is aggravated by the adversarial nature of abstract argument. Thus, in Metaphors We Live By, Lakoff & Johnson pointed out how profoundly abstract argument is combative in its character. The expressions that are used are aggressive and violent in their connotations: She attacked every weak point in my argument. Such an environment is inimical to innovation and change, because ideas come forward in a threatening adversarial manner. "I am right and you are wrong!" is the mindset that de Bono identifies. What if there was another way? “Imagine a world," said Lakoff and Johnson, "where no one wins or loses, where there is no sense of attacking or defending, no gaining or losing ground. Imagine a culture where an argument is viewed as a dance…” This is in effect the world of narrative intelligence. Narrative invites the reader inside the story as a collaborator so as "to embed a way of looking at the world in the listeners’ minds, and tighten its grip and deepen its roots and hence induce in their thinking a view of the organization and the world with new planes of order and opportunity. In the process, an understanding of the potential of the change idea – sharing knowledge – can erupt into the collective consciousness, producing a sudden coalescence of vision in the minds of listeners." (The Springboard) Narrative intelligence can provide a practical tool to achieve the world of non-aggression that the sages have always preached:
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| References:
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The
Leader's Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art & Discipline
of Business Narrative
Squirrel
Inc: A Fable of Leadership Through Storytelling,
Storytelling
in Organizations The
Springboard: How Storytelling Ignites Action in Knowledge-Era
Organizations Steve Denning consults and gives workshops and keynote presentations on topics that include: leadership, innovation, organizational storytelling, business storytelling, springboard storytelling, knowledge management, branding, marketing, values, communication, communities of practice, business performance, collective intelligence, tacit knowledge, business collaboration, knowledge, learning, community, performance improvement, visionary leadership, social potential, institutional community building, and internal communications. You can contact Steve at steve@stevedenning.com Copyright © 2000-2004 Stephen Denning Webmaster CR WEB CONSULTING
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