Reflection – Storytelling

Inspiring Change Through Storytelling

Challenge and Selection

I have always enjoyed stories. I have found them to be a compelling medium of  communication which can inspire, engage, entertain and provide us with valuable insights at  the same time. I used to work at a sewage treatment plant construction project. On June 5th  every year as part of the World Environment Day celebrations there used to be a mega tree  plantation drive. But often the plants would be forgotten after that day and they would  wither and die leaving no traces. I was given the responsibility of conducting the event on  June 2th 2017. I wanted the event to be useful. I also wanted to generate awareness  regarding the multi-generational utility of trees. So, I decide to present a short real-life  anecdote about my grandmother who loved farming. I chose the medium of storytelling  since I liked stories and I believed it had the ability of connecting and inspiring people across  hierarchy.

Application

My grandmother was a headmistress as well as a farming enthusiast. She used to work on  her small plot of land and planted several different varieties of trees including mango,  jackfruit and banana trees. I remember seeing her work hard and used to wonder what  drove her. Even when she became old, she used to tend to them like her children, always  worried whether they were in the right state of health. I remember occasionally  accompanying her on her farming trips. It was difficult work.

She passed away two years ago having enjoyed the fruits of her labor for several years. The  plants which she had tended to had become full grown trees bearing a large number of  delicious fruits like mangoes, bananas and jackfruits. Even after her death we continue to  enjoy the fruits which appeared with remarkable consistency, a testament to the effort that  she put into her work.

The crowning moment of this experience occurred when I saw my nephew enjoying the  mangoes and jackfruits borne on those trees. With that, the trees had already served four  generations, and it will still continue to do so with minimal effort from our part.

Trees are treasures which serve us for generations. Mega plantation drives if executed  properly would have the potential to serve a large number of people for generations.

My anecdote did have an effect on a few employees. That year the World Environment Day  celebrations were held in true spirit. The plants continue to survive even after year.

Insight and Approach

I have always enjoyed stories. I was aware of their ability to inspire. But it was the first time,  where I had used stories as medium to effect a positive change. Everybody loves a good  story and if done right it can provide a great amount of inspiration. I particularly chose a

story about family and multi-generational utility since the crowd which I was addressing  comprised of people from diverse ages and backgrounds. Through this course I realized that  stories are considered as tool in Design thinking. I look forward to utilizing stories to effect  positive change.


Reflection – Storytelling Inspiring Change Through Storytelling Challenge and Selection I have always enjoyed stories . I have found them to be a compelling medium of communication which can inspire , engage , entertain and provide us with valuable insights at the same time . I used to work at a sewage treatment plant construction project . On June 5th every year as part of the World Environment Day celebrations there used to be a mega tree plantation drive . But often the plants would be forgotten after that day and they would wither and die leaving no traces . I was given the responsibility of conducting the event on June 2th 2017 . I wanted the event to be useful . I also wanted to generate awareness regarding the multi - generational utility of trees . So , I decide to present a short real - life anecdote about my grandmother who loved farming . I chose the medium of storytelling since I liked stories and I believed it had the ability of connecting and inspiring people across hierarchy . Application My grandmother was a headmistress as well as a farming enthusiast . She used to work on her small plot of land and planted several different varieties of trees including mango , jackfruit and banana trees . I remember seeing her work hard and used to wonder what drove her . Even when she became old , she used to tend to them like her children , always worried whether they were in the right state of health . I remember occasionally accompanying her on her farming trips . It was difficult work . She passed away two years ago having enjoyed the fruits of her labor for several years . The plants which she had tended to had become full grown trees bearing a large number of delicious fruits like mangoes , bananas and jackfruits . Even after her death we continue to enjoy the fruits which appeared with remarkable consistency , a testament to the effort that she put into her work . The crowning moment of this experience occurred when I saw my nephew enjoying the mangoes and jackfruits borne on those trees . With that , the trees had already served four generations , and it will still continue to do so with minimal effort from our part . Trees are treasures which serve us for generations . Mega plantation drives if executed properly would have the potential to serve a large number of people for generations . My anecdote did have an effect on a few employees . That year the World Environment Day celebrations were held in true spirit . The plants continue to survive even after year . Insight and Approach I have always enjoyed stories . I was aware of their ability to inspire . But it was the first time , where I had used stories as medium to effect a positive change . Everybody loves a good story and if done right it can provide a great amount of inspiration . I particularly chose a story about family and multi - generational utility since the crowd which I was addressing comprised of people from diverse ages and backgrounds . Through this course I realized that stories are considered as tool in Design thinking . I look forward to utilizing stories to effect positive change .