Example Reflection – Storytelling

Challenge & Selection

One of my favorite design thinking tools is storytelling, and I use this tool all the  time. My work makes me use the tool to its optimum. I work at a company that  caters to the needs of the homeless, old age homes where I come across people  from different backgrounds and mindsets. Many of them are emotionally weak  and disturbed and another lot who are physically suffering. They are people who  have been dealing with depression in every aspect of their lives. All of them have  a story to share but they are reluctant to do so. I try to bring their lives back on  track by asking them to share their worries and problems, so that they feel  relaxed after doing so. They are not motivated to do something for themselves,  and this engulfs them in a bubble of depression and anxiety. I look to inspire them  and to break them free from this and give them a sense of belief that they can  succeed. By telling stories and relating to their realities and problems I am able to  acknowledge what they strive for.

Application

The beauty of this design thinking tool is that it can actually change peoples’  approach and mindset for good, which is a very beautiful thing to happen. I often  told my colleagues that we need to have a more client focused approach and try  to address each and every other person. We needed to treat each one of them  equally as they all are unique in their own rights. I even explained to them that by  attending and addressing the needs of any one individual can bring about changes  and leave a positive impact on everyone else. I told them a story about when I  was working with an NGO and was on the streets delivering edibles to the  homeless. I spotted a young boy crying on the footpath and I went up to him. I  asked why he was dejected to which he said that his father was suffering from  bone cancer and he was in tremendous pain. The boy was going through a lot of

emotions and I had to make sure he does not do anything that will bring more  pain to his family. I noticed that he needed someone to support him mentally and  bring his life out of the huge dark abyss that he had clearly fallen into. I bought  him a bottle of juice and sat alongside him .I started telling him a story about my  friend whose father was too being diagnosed with bone cancer. Even in tough  times they never lost hope and fortunately his father was cured. I made him  believe that he did not need to fear of him being alone. Giving him attention at  that time made him calm down and relax. He just had to share it with someone  and that left a comforting smile on both of our faces.

INSIGHT & APPROACH

This incident had actually made me shook because that is all it took change his  mindset and clear his thoughts. He was glad that he shared his story with me and  that is the beauty. When you sit down with someone and start listening to them  they experience a feeling of content. Sharing your story with them and them  being able to relate to you, you feel connected and tied with them.

I told my colleagues and seniors this story, it really started to have a significant  impact on the people. This started to bring a lot of alterations in the company  including training people. The story had brought a new approach to the company  and its functioning.

I always thought of the storytelling tool as a skill but it is very much more than  that. It has brought a significant impact in my life and has altered my approach  towards everything. Now I use it all the time at work, it really helps me depict and  illustrate my thoughts and ideas.


Example Reflection – Storytelling Challenge & Selection One of my favorite design thinking tools is storytelling , and I use this tool all the time . My work makes me use the tool to its optimum . I work at a company that caters to the needs of the homeless , old age homes where I come across people from different backgrounds and mindsets . Many of them are emotionally weak and disturbed and another lot who are physically suffering . They are people who have been dealing with depression in every aspect of their lives . All of them have a story to share but they are reluctant to do so . I try to bring their lives back on track by asking them to share their worries and problems , so that they feel relaxed after doing so . They are not motivated to do something for themselves , and this engulfs them in a bubble of depression and anxiety . I look to inspire them and to break them free from this and give them a sense of belief that they can succeed . By telling stories and relating to their realities and problems I am able to acknowledge what they strive for . Application The beauty of this design thinking tool is that it can actually change peoples ’ approach and mindset for good , which is a very beautiful thing to happen . I often told my colleagues that we need to have a more client focused approach and try to address each and every other person . We needed to treat each one of them equally as they all are unique in their own rights . I even explained to them that by attending and addressing the needs of any one individual can bring about changes and leave a positive impact on everyone else . I told them a story about when I was working with an NGO and was on the streets delivering edibles to the homeless . I spotted a young boy crying on the footpath and I went up to him . I asked why he was dejected to which he said that his father was suffering from bone cancer and he was in tremendous pain . The boy was going through a lot of emotions and I had to make sure he does not do anything that will bring more pain to his family . I noticed that he needed someone to support him mentally and bring his life out of the huge dark abyss that he had clearly fallen into . I bought him a bottle of juice and sat alongside him .I started telling him a story about my friend whose father was too being diagnosed with bone cancer . Even in tough times they never lost hope and fortunately his father was cured . I made him believe that he did not need to fear of him being alone . Giving him attention at that time made him calm down and relax . He just had to share it with someone and that left a comforting smile on both of our faces . INSIGHT & APPROACH This incident had actually made me shook because that is all it took change his mindset and clear his thoughts . He was glad that he shared his story with me and that is the beauty . When you sit down with someone and start listening to them they experience a feeling of content . Sharing your story with them and them being able to relate to you , you feel connected and tied with them . I told my colleagues and seniors this story , it really started to have a significant impact on the people . This started to bring a lot of alterations in the company including training people . The story had brought a new approach to the company and its functioning . I always thought of the storytelling tool as a skill but it is very much more than that . It has brought a significant impact in my life and has altered my approach towards everything . Now I use it all the time at work , it really helps me depict and illustrate my thoughts and ideas .