Organizational Development
A Defense of Story
Stories can be overly simple, even deceptive. But more often than not, they help surface and illuminate truth, and embracing their complexity offers deep reward.
Thaler Pekar
Philanthropy
Working with Story
How to use oral histories to capture the past and communicate in the future.
Big Picture
Storytelling and the Dangers of Disbelief
Social innovators can benefit from embracing complex characters and stories.
Foundations
Reflection Through Narrative
How international organizations gain insight, innovation, and internal alignment through story.
Nonprofit Management
The Cure for Premature Articulation
Two ways to improve the quality of discussion and decision-making at your organization.
Nonprofit Management
Hearing the Stories within the Stories
It’s easy to revert to big narratives and much harder to let small, surprising, and telling stories emerge.
Nonprofit Management
What Will Replace the Hero’s Journey?
Only by sharing stories of complex protagonists, messy work, and muddled results will the social sector foster understanding and gain support.
Nonprofit Management
Stop Asking and Start Listening
Leadership and communication: what we can learn from not speaking.
Nonprofit Management
Certainty Versus Confidence
Leaders of social change can benefit from making the distinction.
Philanthropy & Funding
The Problem with Problem Statements
Forgoing the articulation of a problem statement and focusing on paradox leads to more effective communication with your organization’s supporters.
Nonprofit Management
How to Gather Stories
Three ways to gather powerful and persuasive stories from colleagues, customers, donors, grantees, and yourself for effective messaging.
Nonprofits
Working with Stories
When embracing the benefits of working with stories, it’s important to keep two things in mind: engage empathy and embrace emergence.
Nonprofits
Invite Your Listener to Share the Story
Sharing a story will likely to trigger a story in the mind of your listener. Be intentional about the stories you choose to share.
Nonprofits & NGOs
The Benefits of Building a Narrative Organization
The value of narrative in your organization extends well beyond telling stories in your annual report and newsletters.