Because our lives are comprised of and lived in stories, leadership can be more effective when we take into account what those we lead are saying. This means a careful listening to history and determining the boundaries erected by a story. Narrative Leadership is the willingness to learn the storied history of people and their organization then deliberately and cooperatively using those stories to fashion a future.

Narrative leadership is a method and as such adaptable to all organizations. Generally, the term means two things. The first is to create or introduce change by relating the change initiative to stories. The second is to see that an organization has a story or stories that define it. In this use, before any change is initiated the leader will determine those stories and how they may impact what is proposed. Narrative leadership can be used in any organization. It is best used where change can take effect over time.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Paul Cobley gives an excellent survey of narrative and provides a basis for understanding why narrative is critical for leadership. For the person interested in narrative and its integration with sociality this is the place to start.
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Sunday, July 5, 2009

Storytelling in Organizations

In the debate between organizations as rational or relational, Yiannis Gabriel shows the role of stories in organizational culture. His work is helpful for those who seek to lead while sensitive to the influence of story in and upon our everyday life and living.
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