Story telling as a tool to create purpose in Start-Ups and Change processes

To align activities, processes and mindset it is necessary to create a common purpose. By definition purpose is:

· The reason for which something is done, created or exists.

· A person’s sense of resolve or determination

· One’s intention or objective

With, this purpose can be a centerpiece within a Start-up or Change process to be successful. If we look more deeply into it, then purpose in a change process must ensure a new direction out of an existing organizational setting. Whereas in Start-ups purpose defines the whole intention, direction and collaboration within the new entity. It is the degerminator of how the organization will create its value.

How comes storytelling into this equation? Storytelling creates a common belief in which the company purpose is communicated. It is the glue to built systemic trust. The aligner of individual purposes to a common one.

Storytelling has been part of our human experience from the beginning of humanity. Our evolution has been associated to our ability to communicate with each other, transmit ideas and values and teach what we have learned. This has not changed, we still communicated by telling stories to align goals, make people buy something or to convey our ideas.

The narrative of the story defines the targeted direction. In Change processes it might want to change behaviors and processes. In Start-ups the narrative can be the purpose of the company. The plot includes the goals, communication, culture and how we want to work, the sensemaking of all.

A good story allows us to see the overlaps of our individual purposes and the organizational ones. This will foster intrinsic motivation, collaboration, productivity and trust, the glue of knowledge driven cooperation.

For more on storytelling and purpose contact: karl@schmidt-degen.de