Leading Change Through Storytelling
By Helen Wada with Dr. Susanne Evans
In our latest episode of the Human Wise Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Susanne Evans, an esteemed expert in change management and transformation. Together, we explored how storytelling and reflection can drive meaningful change within organisations.
Exploring Reflection, Inquiry, and Empathy in Organisational Change
Susanne believes in the power of heartfelt communication during times of transition.
Susanne: "Connecting with people from the heart and being vulnerable is significantly more challenging than merely standing behind PowerPoint slides during a town hall meeting."
Moving beyond traditional presentations to engage directly and empathetically with our audience is crucial for fostering genuine connections.
Helen: "It's important to pause and reflect even during meetings to ensure that our goals and agendas remain on course and that we are truly listening to each other."
Dr. Evans emphasises, stressing the importance of connecting with the recipients from a place where they come from and how they are receiving messages.
The Role of Storytelling in Change Management
Storytelling plays a pivotal role in change management, according to Susanne. She cites an impactful Harvard Business Review article by Robert McKee on "storytelling that moves people."
Susanne: "Never lose sight of the people. Always ask yourself: if I were in this situation, how would I like to be treated?"
This reminder for leaders to remain person-centred helps craft stories that resonate deeply and engage meaningfully.
Strategies for Employing Storytelling
Susanne provides several actionable strategies to employ storytelling effectively:
Inquiry and Active Listening: "Starting with inquiry is vital," Dr. Evans notes, highlighting the need for leaders to genuinely listen and comprehend the internal climate of their organisations.
Awareness and Reflection: "It's about developing different levels of awareness—self-awareness and understanding your impact on others," she says, underscoring the importance of self-awareness for effective leadership.
Constructing Engaging Narratives: "Typically, there's a scene-setting introduction, followed by events impacting the protagonist, often including setbacks," explains Dr. Evans. This classic story arc helps make communications more engaging.
The Necessity of Reflection and Continuous Inquiry
Reflection is a cornerstone for effective leadership.
Susanne: "Reflection is a superpower, but so is inquiry," she asserts, encouraging leaders to continuously pause, reflect, and evaluate their progress.
She also discusses "dysfunctional momentum," urging ongoing assessments to ensure actions remain relevant and beneficial.
Helen: "Incorporating scheduled reflection into our projects helps us ensure that we are always moving in a direction that truly benefits the organisation."
Take a People First Approach
Susanne: "Always prioritise the people involved," stresses the fundamental role of individuals in any change initiative.
For further reading, I highly recommend picking up 'Change Stories' recently published by Susanne and @Practical inspiration publishing. It offers profound insights and practical guides on change management, wth storytelling at its heart.
To hear our full discussion, listen to the podcast episode with Dr. Suzanne Evans here.
Stay connected with Dr. Evans on LinkedIn. I am also available for contact on LinkedIn.
Human Wise releases new episodes weekly and can be accessed on all major podcast platforms.