Internal Narrative, Working For You or Against You?
Quite possibility, the decision was made because of the observations of the competition. Perhaps, the critics, naysayers, and pessimists had a hand in the outcome. What is your internal narrative suggesting?
The business enterprise, the non-profit, and even the career changer are often driven by the internal narrative. Business or pleasure, people are often good at finding something to either drive change or prevent it.
Emotions or Facts?
Fear and emotions are a good driver. Nearly any decision, any choice has emotion attached.
Sure, we can make business decisions based on the data, the metric, and the CFO’s report. There are factual aspects of the data and outcomes.
Questioning the narrative can be complex. Will sales improve, will the shipment arrive on-time, or will the competition launch before we do?
Data may tell a story but the internal narrative will drive what happens next.
Internal Narrative
Our organizational cultures and our instincts, gut feel, and experiences drive the narrative. In nearly all cases the narrative we see, discuss, and share is reflected in our decisions.
As organizations and people, we may fail to trust, fail to commit, and refuse to spring into action. Why? Largely it is about the narrative.
The narrative has two sides. One of pending doom, or one of pending boom.
Our internal narrative will drive what happens next. It is often working overtime to either cause distress or drive reassurance.
Should you work for the narrative or against it?
Better learn to assess the narrative.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
