One Story Tunnel Vision
Conant and
Norgaard (2011) in their book Touchpoints
said, “To make genuine connections with other people, you need to bring more
than information and experience to the interaction—you need to bring yourself”
(p. 77). One of the best ways to bring yourself into a conversation or
presentation is by telling a compelling story.
In The Leader’s Guide to
Storytelling, Denning (2011) said, “Storytelling is essential to leadership”
(p. 63). PowerPoint slides and
statistics will not capture the heart, let alone the imagination. Rote memorization cannot inspire change. Instead, when people are vulnerable enough to
share their life by way of a story, it provides a mental landscape for other people’s
hopes and dreams. Chimamanda Adichie
inspires, motivates, and brings awareness to the issue of stereotypes and narrow-mindedness
by using her personal story in the TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story.
Stephen Denning (2011)
describes a springboard story as “a story that can inspire people to change”
(p. 63). Among a number of
characteristics, Denning identified the first step in crafting a springboard
story as “getting clear on the change idea you are trying to get across” (p.
64). In her presentation, Adichie was
crystal clear on her objective. She discussed
the problems that arise when people read or hear one story concerning a group
of people or a place and consider it the definitive description of that culture. She explained how single story narratives
create stereotypes by painting a negative picture from one person’s perspective.
Consider what a
child in Ethiopia would think of America if the only book she ever read was
Alex Haley’s Roots? What if the only story about America was an
eighteenth or nineteenth century war-torn country teeming with death and
destruction between Caucasians, Native Americans, African Americans, or the
north and the south during the Civil War?
Fortunately, there are thousands of novels and an endless array of
historical stories telling of freedom, struggle, perseverance, and
patriotism. Unfortunately, in the past,
other countries have not been so lucky.
Many were absent the necessary tools to produce a volume of stories to
dispense worldwide; that was, until now.
Ms. Adichie transported
her listeners through story; each member was taken on a true African
safari. In the process, she exposed the
insidiousness of prejudice. By
explaining the imprint and power of a single story, she dispelled false beliefs
about African societies by shattering long-standing perceptions of ignorance,
savagery, and disorder. As she recounted
her life as a young girl and a college student, she provided just enough detail
for her listeners to imagine her experiences growing up in Nigeria and walking
onto an American campus as a young freshman.
Her interaction with roommates, students, and professors revealed biases
in my own heart. Like others, I have had
preconceived notions of African families though I’ve never placed one foot on
the continent.
One of the key
moments in Adichie’s presentation was sharing her earlier biases toward
Mexicans. Visiting Mexico after
listening to news media and political speeches scripted a story of Mexicans as
illegal immigrants fleecing American health care and sneaking across the
border. While walking the streets of
Guadalajara, she quickly realized she had fell prey to the same trap as those
she was addressing: believing one way about a group of people by listening to
just one story. Adichie said, “To
solidify a stereotype, show a group of people as one thing and only one thing
over and over and eventually, that is what they become.” Rather than merely recognize her own failure
and change her thinking, she has taken her message to the world.
Denning (2011) said,
“Stories are trapdoors, escape hatches, portals through which we can expand our
lives and learn about other worlds. They offer guideposts to what is important
in life. They generate meaning” (p. xi).
Adichie recognizes the power of a story.
As a rising discipline in academia and business, stories can be a
powerful tool in the hands of a leader.
The challenge is to ensure a story tells the entire truth about a person
and a place rather than shave elements of the narrative to meet your
needs.
Lastly, as stated
above, the key to a springboard story is to inspire action, to leave the
audience with new hope and possibilities.
Adichie challenged her listeners by prefacing her phrases with, “What
if…we knew the whole story of the Native Americans?” and “Just imagine…the
potential of children all over the world reading books from all over the
world.” And even, “Just think…what life would be like if we looked at both the
negative and the positive aspects of a certain culture.” Maybe, just maybe, we could begin to change
the world one perception at a time.
Conant and Norgaard (2011) also said, “The key is to tell a story that is
so interesting that people could remember it and pass it on to others” (p.
117). After listening to Adichie and
before writing this blog, I sent an email to a coworker that simply said,
“Listen to this talk on the danger of a single story. It’ll change the way you look at people.”
Steve
References:
Adichie, C. (2009). The Danger of a Single Story. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg
Conant, D.R., & Norgaard, M. (2011). Touchpoints. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Denning, S. (2011). The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling. San Francisco, CA:
Jossey-Bass.
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