I’ve been tinkering away the past few months on what it is I do and where it plays out, while sitting on a few different things that feel endlessly stuck at 90-99%.
Perfection for me is a moment of resonance with what’s created that needs to be released then and now. I find it hard to create something and revisit it days, weeks or a month later and still feel connected to it. The more I go back to it, the more it loses its lustre. And I’d rather just create something new instead of forcing something from the past to “work”.
I am speaking mainly about writing, but also positioning my business, articulating its differentiation and describing its products and offering. The output is written word but what goes in to it is a mixture of research, reflection, strategy, dreaming, courage and the willingness to try and put it out there.
It’s a classic - putting down an anchor to be able to explore widely - scenario.
And this week in Zürich catching up with an old friend, they asked what I was working on. And wow, was I ever happy with how I could speak to it with such enthusiasm and conviction.
This is an important part of the journey. Authoring the present to enable a new future trajectory. But I also need some of these ideas to be a part of the wider world to help shape opportunities and help others where I can.
Making progress in some ways (it was a busy first 3 months of the year), but not in other ways is part of the journey. Throw in a Nordic winter hibernation, living up to some of the principles I value and have role modelled for myself have not been there. As a result, I’ve not moved the needle in some ways.
The few I have not been adhering to (while encouraging clients and others to do them) are:
progress over perfection
consistency before rare & random
visible vs hidden
I find it’s worthwhile to experience moments where you are not aligned to your working principles. It’s an opportunity to recalibrate and also empathize with others you may be helping to try and shift their mindset or behaviours.
Over the next weeks I am going to share a few things I have been working on. Putting it out there but they will be....
Some pieces on: why I feel narrative is the most untapped resource at our disposal when it comes to business and organizational development; what are the qualities of a narrative driven business; what mental models do we need to explore or develop to work with narrative confidently; and lastly how do we shift knowledge and expertise to influence and momentum for change.
No time like the present, so here we go.
The 3 Pillars of a Narrative Driven Business
Narrative: “a spoken or written account of connected events”.
Environment
Most businesses inherit their stories rather than deliberately create one. Typically an amalgamation of origin myth and founder DNA, “brand” decisions, and how its culture has developed over the years it becomes hard to leverage these when they are disconnected.
The narrative environment instead, is the distinct context from which decisions and priorities flow.
Where the business (and its leadership) proactively create its own environment by having a clearly articulated set of beliefs, principles, perspectives and position that separates it from the competitive landscape.
Choices become self-evident in this world. You know where you stand and what you are here for.
The interconnection and alignment across departments and functions, creates a coherent sense of ambition towards the future and desired goals.
Direction: Both, And.
In terms of where, but also how. Communications are direct and to the point and speak to the customer in a way that only that business can. Taking a stand and position in the narrative environments attracts others seeking to be a part of or sharing in your ambition. The pathway becomes clearer as you are not everything to everyone and the coordination efforts of investing in your narrative, allow greater focus, commitment and determination to succeed.
Alignment
There should be harmony between the front of house and back of house. There’s a damaging gap in contemporary business where what is promised externally is disconnected from what’s happening internally and poses risks to not only perception, but to questions of quality and talent. What you signal across the board determines whether people will back you - and that could be the market and your customer, partners and employees. Alignment comes from clarity and trust in the narrative inside and out.
Perhaps a combination of things that got me back out of a winter hibernation: spring weather in Mitteleuropa and an unplanned surprise and immersion within the landscapes of my homeland - Canada.
Entering the gallery to be punched by this from across the room - in a nice way.
The Arts guide the way!
What a pleasure to see this as part of the Nordlichter Exhibition at Fondation Beyeler.
Mountain Forms from Lawren Harris - Group of 7
What I'm Working On
Partnering to offer four distinct approaches: Foundational Narrative work for leaders at critical inflection points, Strategic Consulting for senior operators driving growth or change initiatives, creating Communications Systems that deliver compounding value, and delivering an Influencing Change training that helps specialists transform knowledge into organizational impact.
Learn more at Narrative.Work.