Narrative Leadership Style
Narrative leadership is interpreted as the leader who aspires to construct leadership by telling stories. Leadership is a task of persuasion, of winning people’s minds and hearts. Storytelling is thus inherently suited for the task of leadership. Learn about the narrative leadership style and how to use this style to inspire and motivate followers or to manage change.
What is Narrative leadership?
Narrative leadership is interpreted as the leader who aspires to construct leadership by telling stories. Because our lives are comprised of and lived in stories, leadership can be more effective when we take into account what those we lead are saying. The premise of narrative leadership is that storytelling has a significant role in leadership and organizational rationality. Narrative Leadership refers to the use of stories and narratives to increase employee morale, create a shared need to produce change, and lead collaboration. These stories, whether focusing on how the organization encountered and overcame difficulties or how it seizes new opportunities, are all designed to create a shared vision for those who are at present with the organization or those who will be employed in the future.
This means careful listening to the history and determining the boundaries erected by a story. Narrative Leadership is the willingness to learn the storied history of people and their organization then deliberately and cooperatively using those stories to fashion a future.
The breakthrough of the narrative approach in leadership and organization studies took place roughly two decades ago. Its theoretical underpinnings stem from the narrative paradigm, which says that all human beings are storytellers (homo narrans). Stories are engaged with power in organizations. Alongside knowledge, values, and emotions, stories convey leadership influence by mediating and shaping organizational reality. According to Bruner (1991), “most of our knowledge about human knowledge-getting and reality-constructing is drawn from studies of how people come to know the natural or physical world rather than the human or symbolic world.”
The application of the idea of constructing human and symbolic reality in David Boje’s study on narrative leadership (1991) became a kind of milestone in this field. He studied the dynamics of storytelling in a large office-supply firm and illustrated how people make sense of organizational storytelling. His empirical study indicated the potential of stories for leadership; and since the early 1990s, the discussion about storytelling and narrative leadership has meandered and increased greatly.
Storytelling leadership has become more popular in academic texts and particularly in normative texts that treat stories often instrumental in inspiring and motivating followers or to manage change. It is thus seen as a “managerial tool”. The stories make sense in the organizational flow, which takes place discursively in social interaction, both on formal and informal occasions.
Narrative leadership is a method and as such adaptable to all organizations. Generally, the term means two things. The first is to create or introduce change by relating the change initiative to stories. The second is to see that an organization has a story or stories that define it. In this use, before any change is initiated the leader will determine those stories and how they may impact what is proposed. Narrative leadership can be used in any organization. It is best used where change can take effect over time.
Narratives and stories are used to:
- Build trust.
- Create company branding.
- Instill organizational values.
- Encourage collaboration.
- Optimize knowledge sharing.
- Neutralize conflict.
- Create a shared vision toward the future.
Books to Read/References:
The Leader's Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative by Stephen Denning (2011)
Related Links
You May Also Like
-
The ten most important qualities that define a good leader are self-awareness, interpersonal and communication skills, ethical values, organizational consciousness, self-confidence, adaptability and flexibility, imagination and creativity, focus & result-orientation, continuous self-development and accountability and ownership for his actions. These ten qualities of leadership every good leader should possess to a certain extent and must continually strive to develop them.
-
This style is characterized by leaders making decisions for others and expecting followers to follow instructions. The directive leader is adept at giving instructions, setting expectations, and establishing timelines and performance standards. However, it is possible for the same leaders to display both directive and supportive behavior as per the demands of the situation.
-
What are the functions which a leader does to establish as a leader? What are the activities undertaken by them to become great leaders, rather revolutionary leaders? The most important tasks done by a leader in all situations are defining the vision, mission, and goals, leading the team, administrative functions, motivating followers, decision making and conflict resolution, and continuous development.
-
Narrative leadership is interpreted as the leader who aspires to construct leadership by telling stories. Leadership is a task of persuasion, of winning people’s minds and hearts. Storytelling is thus inherently suited for the task of leadership. Learn about the narrative leadership style and how to use this style to inspire and motivate followers or to manage change.
-
Have you ever resonated that there seem to be as many different ways to lead people as there have been great leaders? When we recall the success of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon Bonaparte to Steve Jobs and Jack Welch, we also notice that they all used different approaches that were suitable to their specific situations and circumstances. Over the last century, researchers and psychologists have developed simple ways to describe the “Styles of leadership” and in this section, we will explore these commonly known leadership styles.
-
There are four major factors in leadership called Leader, Follower, Communication, and Situation. The success of the leader is dependent on how the leader is effectively able to communicate and motivate followers to perform desired tasks using the appropriate leadership style best suited for the given situation. Interdependencies and dynamics of these four factors of leadership must be considered by a leader to be effective.
-
Participative leadership is one of the most effective styles and creates higher productivity, better contributions from group members, and increased group morale. The democratic leadership style consists of the leader sharing the decision-making abilities with group members by promoting the interests of the group members. Learn more about this leadership style and situations when it is effective.
-
Authentic leadership is an approach to leadership that emphasizes building the leader's legitimacy through honest relationships with followers which value their input and are built on an ethical foundation. The authentic leader acts upon his or her values and beliefs, and inspires others to do the same, is committed to know and develop oneself. Are you committed to developing yourself; know your motivations and the purpose of your leadership? Read this article to know more about authentic leadership style and discovering your authentic self.
-
Bureaucratic leadership relies on a clear chain of command and strict regulations. Bureaucratic leadership style is a very decent style for work involving serious safety risks, such as handling toxic substances, moving large objects. The focus is on compliance with rules and laid down procedures to make sure that the group is doing their job correctly and safely. Learn some advantages and disadvantages of this style and situations in which this style could prove to be effective.
-
Understanding of how individuals of different cultures interact with each other is very important. Not all individuals can adapt to the leadership styles expected in a different culture whether that culture is organizational or national. In a fast-paced business environment, developing a richer understanding and sensitivity to other cultures is a skill that leaders must possess. Learn to be effective in a cross-cultural setting.
