The Dance of Information and Story
A story gives us so much more than simple information. What’s lost in efficiency is gained in context and in emotional connection.
Let’s imagine we’re in a professional setting where we need to introduce ourselves. I might say something like:
My name is Alexis Niki, and I‘m the founder of StoryNova. I help leaders and teams boost empathy and collaboration through sharing their stories. I also help them uncover hidden stories that are getting in the way of a healthier culture.
Now let me introduce myself through a story about my name:
My first name, Alexis, was chosen by my Greek-American parents because it was pronounceable in both cultures. I live in France, where Alexis is a man’s name, as it is in Greece. So whenever I receive a letter addressed to “Monsieur Alexis Niki,” I’m reminded of my grandmother. Nana was an elegant Athenian woman who wore nylons in the house in case an unexpected visitor decided to drop by. Unwilling to accept my American-born hippie parents’ choice, she called me “Alexia.”
And then one day the show “Dynasty” hit the airwaves. A nighttime soap opera about rich people and their drama-filled lives, it starred Joan Collins as the glamorous but scheming Alexis Carrington Colby.
Nana loved anything touched by the dazzle of Hollywood. She made regular trips to the American Club in Athens and bought whatever magazines she could find covering her favorite celebrities. Enthralled by Alexis Carrington Colby’s attitude, flowing dresses, and sweeping hats, she became an avid fan. Before I knew it, she was calling me “Alexis.” It was as if society, in the guise of Hollywood, had caught up with my parents and sanctioned my name.
I was grateful to Joan Collins for helping my grandmother accept my name. Nevertheless, I was puzzled that my masculine name was a problem, yet Alexis Carrington Colby’s manipulative behavior never seemed to be.
With time, I understood that she was in the grips of a clash of narratives between two conflicting views of womanhood, between what was expected of her and what she may have been yearning for. She wasn’t necessarily aware of these narratives, nor did she understand how they influenced her behavior and impacted her relationship with me. I became fascinated with the role story plays in shaping our lives. Through my consultancy StoryNova, I teach leaders about the power of their stories, and I help them become intentional about the narratives they enact.
The first introduction was short and efficient. You learned my name, my company’s name, and you got a glimpse of what I do.
The second introduction took a lot longer. But what I lost in efficiency, I gained in context and in emotional connection. A story gives us so much more than simple information. You learned about my background, family, and culture. You got some insight into my personality and into the heart of the work that I do. With any luck, my story engaged you. I bet it’s now easier for you to remember my name and to visualize how I work with clients.
There are plenty of times when an efficient and no-nonsense transmission of information is appropriate. But if you want to create context or inspire your listeners, a story is the way to go.