Reﬂection - Storytelling

Challenge and Selection

Storytelling is a great tool that I used and achieved results to my expectations. In my ﬁrst project at my job I  had to install a new inorganic waste treatment plant with my team and replace a present one. The problem  was the new plant was more technical to operate in comparison to the present one but had better results at  waste management. The plant operation team mainly comprised of diploma, layman and senior citizens at  that point so it was a challenge to make them understand the technicalities and bring them onboard for the  success of the project. Thus, I formatted a story around the operating techniques of new plant with  examples relatable to the experiences of the plant team and the roles they have done earlier so that they  are comfortable in absorbing the new technology without any apprehensions.

Application

The plant team had been operating the inorganic waste treatment plant for past 20 years and suddenly  shifting to a new technology was not an easy task for them. Moreover the staﬀ of plant team were not  technically sound with the new technology. So, me and my team formulated a story around the fact that we  still are treating the organic waste and just some operations have been modiﬁed. We presented the  operations in similarity to the simple operations that they do in kitchen while making food. Like distillation  was explained with example of boiling water so that they have a clear and comfortable grasp of what was  happening. The older team members found it quite engaging the way things were made relatable. Anyone  found the story telling relatable as they could had the experiences that were known and easy to them.

Insights and Approach

This method of engaging the plant team had great results. They had questions now for us which we were  happy to solve. They were engaging with us on every move and felt conﬁdent to cary out the installation  and operation successfully. Moreover, we had moments when the plant team brought solutions to the  problems which we were happy to put in use. What I learnt was that even in the technical front if someone  is new we can carry out better results by making the technicalities familiar to them with their previous  experiences or develop a bond over empathy so that they ﬁnd it engaging. The senior citizens of the plant  team also came with great zeal when they found themselves familiar to the new process. This was  appreciated by my senior management at the success of plant operation.

Thus, storytelling helped me getting people in agreement to work cohesively and made me realise that this  tool helps the people to feel relatable and they in turn can bring new solution to the table.

