Reflection – Story telling

Challenge and Selection:

The tool I used was Story telling. We formed a team and I'm the technical head of the team. We design  and fabricate ATVs. As the oldest member of my team, I also had to motivate my team members during  this pandemic season. I used this tool often, with my team members and vendors and dealers who  supply materials and tools. I share stories of previous members of the team, and the team's legacy, to  my team members to make them realize that they are working in one of the best racing teams of our  country. Sometimes, we use stories to understand each other in a better way. I also check the way they  work before and after I share my stories, this tells me whether I have succeeded in doing what I should  be making them do.

Application:

I have a story about using story telling. One year ago, there was a dispute among 4 members of the  team. They argued about who would make a better driver of the vehicle. I had to intervene. I took them  to our evening snacks shop and I explained them why one was better than the other to drive the vehicle.  I told them there was a similar incident the previous year. I also let them share their views on who  should be a better driver. Finally, I concluded that the best among them has already been decided  during the team selection process, but as they are having a disbelief, I let them have a test and that  would prove the decision.

Insight and approach:

The test was an eye-opener. The four of them calmed down. I told them that the team members were  selected meticulously and each one of them were a valuable piece. This worked very well and they all  were back to being buddies.

So, I told this story to my current team members and the story had a big impact on them. Everyone got  motivated as they got to know that the team was built on the hardships of the previous team members  and that it was their duty to carry the team's legacy. Sometimes a little story changes the working  environment.

This course made me see this as a tool in a new way. When I've done it before it was really impromptu,  but now I can prepare ahead and think of stories that will assist me in presenting my ideas and  illuminate them.

