Reflection - Storytelling

Challenge

It was the time I managed overseas office in Indonesia for a Japanese company. The  challenge I faced was how to persuade headquarters to apply the new design of the  office to enhance the working environment and more importantly productivity. At  that time, the former office has been used for more than 20 years. There were tons  of old documents out there that tells the inefficient old workstyle has continued over  the years. Luckily, I found relocation of the office the chance to change this office  environment dramatically to renew our workstyle and atmosphere filled with a  growth mindset.

However, new office design was a brand new attempt for my company at that time,  which means I had to persuade many of stakeholders that this is the right move. It  was tough and frustrating. The biggest reason was it is almost impossible to quantify  every single effect and profitability that new design will incur. I could assume how  much personnel cost this project saves by calculating the working hours new  workstyle and efficient environment would save, but of course, I cannot avoid leaving  some variables as assumptions. This means justifications of analysis are not perfect.  Therefore, how to get approval from each stakeholder who has different incentives  was the challenge I confronted.

Selection

This was a good example that tells the effectiveness of storytelling. At that time, I  needed a tool to convince people that would not agree with logic based on the mixture  of facts and opinion. Additionally, those I had to persuade were people who had never  come to Indonesia, so it was even harder for them to visualise what problem and  potential I feel and would like to solve. By sharing my frustration, feeling of chance,  and expectation for the future, I needed to appeal to their emotion and to put them  into my shoes. Storytelling seemed to be exactly the one I had to try.

Application

First, I made a storyline that describes what current problems are, what the current  situation is based on, what environment I envision, and what effect I want to achieve  through this project. I thought a good story has a clear storyline that tells a clear  transition from one topic to another, which shows smooth flow as a whole story.  Therefore, I made a good structure for the story at first. Then, I made each section  more relatable for listeners by incorporating pictures and examples that are familiar  to listeners in Japan. The key was how to let them think of this problem as their  problem, not the problem somewhere overseas that does not affect their work. By  familiarize the story for them to visualise and feel the pain, I thought I could change  their attitude. Also, I tried to meet stakeholders in person as much as possible so  that the story sounds more real and tangible for them. To maximise the effect of  storytelling, I chose communication that strengthens human interaction.

Reflection - Storytelling

Insight

Through this project, I found two insights. First, what moves people is not logic, but  emotion and compassion. Logic is surely essential, but not enough to convince  everybody. Depending on the viewpoint, facts that logic is based on do not seem so,  and the logic itself does not sound right sometimes. Especially in the condition that  has stakeholders from different incentives and viewpoints, we need a tool that  appeals to everyone’s emotion. I realised that once everyone is on the same page  emotionally, things will start to move forward.

Second, I realised that especially in a large company that has a wide variety of  incentives, design thinking mindset will help innovations, even small changes, to  happen more easily. Often in a large traditional company, there are strong  motivations that ensure all initiatives are well controlled and well planned so that  we can avoid failure. However, if we can be more risk-tolerant for innovation using  a similar framework, it would be much easier to let everyone be on the same page,  that generates a sense of team that tackles same issues, not a sense of defending  own interests.

Approach

For the next time, I would use storytelling technique to approach people from the  first touchpoint so that their entering point towards issue would be curiosity and  more empathetic rather than a stakeholder making a judgement for my issue. To  navigate stakeholders to have a team atmosphere also encourages them to think of  critical feedback, opinion, and questions that are productive to proceed with the  project. Storytelling sometimes needs patience and practice, but the effect of this  method will generate much productivity when looking back.


Reflection - Storytelling Challenge It was the time I managed overseas office in Indonesia for a Japanese company . The challenge I faced was how to persuade headquarters to apply the new design of the office to enhance the working environment and more importantly productivity . At that time , the former office has been used for more than 20 years . There were tons of old documents out there that tells the inefficient old workstyle has continued over the years . Luckily , I found relocation of the office the chance to change this office environment dramatically to renew our workstyle and atmosphere filled with a growth mindset . However , new office design was a brand new attempt for my company at that time , which means I had to persuade many of stakeholders that this is the right move . It was tough and frustrating . The biggest reason was it is almost impossible to quantify every single effect and profitability that new design will incur . I could assume how much personnel cost this project saves by calculating the working hours new workstyle and efficient environment would save , but of course , I can not avoid leaving some variables as assumptions . This means justifications of analysis are not perfect . Therefore , how to get approval from each stakeholder who has different incentives was the challenge I confronted . Selection This was a good example that tells the effectiveness of storytelling . At that time , I needed a tool to convince people that would not agree with logic based on the mixture of facts and opinion . Additionally , those I had to persuade were people who had never come to Indonesia , so it was even harder for them to visualise what problem and potential I feel and would like to solve . By sharing my frustration , feeling of chance , and expectation for the future , I needed to appeal to their emotion and to put them into my shoes . Storytelling seemed to be exactly the one I had to try . Application First , I made a storyline that describes what current problems are , what the current situation is based on , what environment I envision , and what effect I want to achieve through this project . I thought a good story has a clear storyline that tells a clear transition from one topic to another , which shows smooth flow as a whole story . Therefore , I made a good structure for the story at first . Then , I made each section more relatable for listeners by incorporating pictures and examples that are familiar to listeners in Japan . The key was how to let them think of this problem as their problem , not the problem somewhere overseas that does not affect their work . By familiarize the story for them to visualise and feel the pain , I thought I could change their attitude . Also , I tried to meet stakeholders in person as much as possible so that the story sounds more real and tangible for them . To maximise the effect of storytelling , I chose communication that strengthens human interaction . Reflection - Storytelling Insight Through this project , I found two insights . First , what moves people is not logic , but emotion and compassion . Logic is surely essential , but not enough to convince everybody . Depending on the viewpoint , facts that logic is based on do not seem so , and the logic itself does not sound right sometimes . Especially in the condition that has stakeholders from different incentives and viewpoints , we need a tool that appeals to everyone ’s emotion . I realised that once everyone is on the same page emotionally , things will start to move forward . Second , I realised that especially in a large company that has a wide variety of incentives , design thinking mindset will help innovations , even small changes , to happen more easily . Often in a large traditional company , there are strong motivations that ensure all initiatives are well controlled and well planned so that we can avoid failure . However , if we can be more risk - tolerant for innovation using a similar framework , it would be much easier to let everyone be on the same page , that generates a sense of team that tackles same issues , not a sense of defending own interests . Approach For the next time , I would use storytelling technique to approach people from the first touchpoint so that their entering point towards issue would be curiosity and more empathetic rather than a stakeholder making a judgement for my issue . To navigate stakeholders to have a team atmosphere also encourages them to think of critical feedback , opinion , and questions that are productive to proceed with the project . Storytelling sometimes needs patience and practice , but the effect of this method will generate much productivity when looking back .