Stories That Move Us Into Action

Okay, I know I’ve been on this kick of talking about evidence of a whole new mind (the integration of right-brain and left-brain thinking) in the business world. One more example, and then I’ll get off my soap box (until I find the next great example….)

Patrick Lencioni is a consultant turned business author. His books include The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Five Temptations of a CEO, Death by Meeting, and his latest, Silos, Politics and Turf Wars.  He was recently profiled in the Wall Street Journal (yes, you are probably tired of me quoting from that newspaper as well, but I find it to be one of the best ways to stay current in the business world.) One of the main reasons he is noteworthy (besides having sold lots of books) is that he writes in fable form. That is, he tells a story to teach about management and business. Sound familiar?  Story as one of the new business competencies.

One of the more interesting things I learned was that Lencioni is an amateur screenwriter and he uses the tools of his craft in his books. As the article states, Lencioni creates “likable but flawed” characters, builds tension and dialogue, and changes scenes quickly. 

Businesses are hiring Lencioni to consult, including Southwest Airlines. I know of managers who have bought the book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, for their staff. I think this is not just a validation that what Lencioni has to say is worth something. One of his key points is that trust is the necessary foundation for building great teams.  Hey, that one has been around for ages.

What is different is the use of story to relay the message.  Humans understand stories.  They remember stories. And if the story is believable, it moves them to take action.