Challenge & Selection

Storytelling is the tool I will be using. I work with vulnerable populations and poor people. Many of these  people have faced oppression and dysfunction in every aspect of their lives, they need to be  empowered. When I work with seniors, we share stories with each other. I use these stories to get an  idea about their problems and look for solutions.

Application

I have a story about using storytelling. In discussing policy changes with a social service agency, I was  trying to explain to them the benefits of taking a more client focused approach, among other things,  and, of recognizing each person as a unique being, and addressing their individual needs first and  foremost. The agency was in the grip of a “compliance culture” and its clients were failing in this. Non- empathetic, rigid structure. I was also explaining how sometimes addressing the needs of one. Individual  can impact everyone for the better, even if it seems extreme or out of the ordinary. I told a story about  when I ran an emergency shelter after a natural disaster. Everyone was doing well except for one  woman whose stress was making her very emotionally volatile. I could tell she needed attention; in my  mind I decided she would be “Princess for an hour.” I made her a cup of coffee and sat. down with her  and let her talk. It turned out that her mother, who was with her, had survived a brain Aneurysm and  she was terrified that she would fall or that some other crisis would befall her during this disaster while  in the shelter.

Insight & Approach

Well, wow, that was an eye-opener. Her mother was a calm presence and doing very well. Clearly it was  time for me to open with my story. I told her how scary it was when my father had his brain aneurysm in  front of me and how I had to get him to the hospital and how difficult and scary that all was. I shared  how he recovered well, and then tied us together, by noting how she and I both have parents who  survived brain aneurysms. This worked well. She really needed individual attention for that brief time,  and she ended up with that and a true support. She calmed down, her mother, who had become  worried about her, calmed down, and everyone around them calmed down. Peace reigned again in our  little shelter. So, I told this story to the agency, and I think it had a big impact on people there. The  policies are being re-evaluated and the caseworkers are going through new training. Sometimes a little  story can do a lot of good. This course made me see this as a tool in a new way. When I have done it  before it was really "ad hoc," but now I can prepare ahead and think of stories that will assist me in  presenting my ideas and best illuminate them. I have a design background, but I ended up as an  entrepreneur in business. I had no idea this would ever be considered an asset, but I am so incredibly  grateful that it is!


Challenge & Selection Storytelling is the tool I will be using . I work with vulnerable populations and poor people . Many of these people have faced oppression and dysfunction in every aspect of their lives , they need to be empowered . When I work with seniors , we share stories with each other . I use these stories to get an idea about their problems and look for solutions . Application I have a story about using storytelling . In discussing policy changes with a social service agency , I was trying to explain to them the benefits of taking a more client focused approach , among other things , and , of recognizing each person as a unique being , and addressing their individual needs first and foremost . The agency was in the grip of a “ compliance culture ” and its clients were failing in this . Non- empathetic , rigid structure . I was also explaining how sometimes addressing the needs of one . Individual can impact everyone for the better , even if it seems extreme or out of the ordinary . I told a story about when I ran an emergency shelter after a natural disaster . Everyone was doing well except for one woman whose stress was making her very emotionally volatile . I could tell she needed attention ; in my mind I decided she would be “ Princess for an hour . ” I made her a cup of coffee and sat . down with her and let her talk . It turned out that her mother , who was with her , had survived a brain Aneurysm and she was terrified that she would fall or that some other crisis would befall her during this disaster while in the shelter . Insight & Approach Well , wow , that was an eye - opener . Her mother was a calm presence and doing very well . Clearly it was time for me to open with my story . I told her how scary it was when my father had his brain aneurysm in front of me and how I had to get him to the hospital and how difficult and scary that all was . I shared how he recovered well , and then tied us together , by noting how she and I both have parents who survived brain aneurysms . This worked well . She really needed individual attention for that brief time , and she ended up with that and a true support . She calmed down , her mother , who had become worried about her , calmed down , and everyone around them calmed down . Peace reigned again in our little shelter . So , I told this story to the agency , and I think it had a big impact on people there . The policies are being re - evaluated and the caseworkers are going through new training . Sometimes a little story can do a lot of good . This course made me see this as a tool in a new way . When I have done it before it was really " ad hoc , " but now I can prepare ahead and think of stories that will assist me in presenting my ideas and best illuminate them . I have a design background , but I ended up as an entrepreneur in business . I had no idea this would ever be considered an asset , but I am so incredibly grateful that it is !