True Storytelling Institute®

About

It begins with you defining your own story –
what path have you taken in the life you lead?

Is your world view grounded in ethical conduct or a more relativistic utilitarian mindset? For you, does right or wrong depend on other people’s opinion, the anticipated outcome, personal gain, or context – is right or wrong fluid? Or is it grounded in authentic ethical and moral principles? For some, the ends justify the means. For others, right is right regardless of outcome as integrity, duty, and moral consistency are non-negotiable. True Storytelling® is for those having made the choice to live an ethical “true” life in this world of competitive business and social interaction while adhering to the core principles of ethical conduct, respect, and accountability. It is not just about being a good storyteller but rather about your ability to co-create narratives with others, based on ethical principles that foster commitment for strategies and ideas, collective intelligence, and psychological safety. This can occur in your family, within a team, in an organization, in the local community, or regionally. Mastering the methodology of True Storytelling® can level the playing field for an ethical person when challenged by their opposite. 

The True Storytelling Institute® focuses on helping individuals and organizations use the power of storytelling to foster positive change, collaboration, and ethical leadership. Its methodology, the “True Storytelling®” emphasizes authenticity, sustainability, and collective engagement in creating and sharing narratives. The approach is built around seven guiding principles that help participants align their personal or organizational values with their actions and strategies.

Key Areas of Focus:

  1. Leadership Development: Assisting leaders in crafting narratives that inspire trust and drive alignment within teams and organizations.
  2. Change Management: Supporting organizations in navigating transitions by co-creating stories that align with collective goals and values.
  3. Personal Growth: Helping individuals identify their “true story” to live authentically and foster resilience.

Core Activities:

  • Offering training programs, workshops, and certifications based on the seven principles of True Storytelling® to teach the effective use of the methodology. 
  • Conducting tailored sessions for organizational teams to create inclusive and adaptive narratives.
  • Providing a process utilizing tools for reflection, storytelling, and collaboration that promote psychological safety and creativity.

The institute’s approach is rooted in the work of its founders and draws inspiration from indigenous storytelling traditions, emphasizing ethics, sustainability, and shared meaning-making​.

The Process

The True Storytelling® process is a methodological framework for organizational development and leadership that focuses on authenticity, co-creation, and ethical storytelling. It emphasizes the use of narratives to foster meaningful connections and guide organizations and individuals toward sustainable growth and transformation – as a continual process, not a singular event.
 

Here are the core ideas of True Storytelling®:

  1. Authenticity: It’s about telling and living stories that are genuine, truthful, and aligned with the values of individuals and organizations. The focus is on congruence between what is said and what is done through melding the head and heart connection. 
  2. Co-creation: Stories are not created in isolation. True Storytelling® change methodology encourages collaboration and inclusivity, allowing diverse voices and perspectives to contribute in the creation of a shared narrative.
  3. Purpose-driven action: Stories should not only inspire but also lead to actions that align with the organization’s or individual’s purpose and goals.
  4. Ethics and responsibility: True Storytelling® recognizes the power of narratives to shape perceptions and behaviors. It calls for ethical responsibility in creating and sharing stories to avoid manipulation or harm.
  5. Dynamic process: Change management through the use of True Storytelling® methodology is seen as an ongoing, iterative process that evolves over time in response to feedback and changing circumstances.


Bridging the past, present, and future: True Storytelling® integrates stories from the past, present realities, and envisioned futures to create a coherent narrative that guides decision-making and action.

The Benefits

According to the book “True Storytelling®: Seven Principles for an Ethical and Sustainable Change Management Strategy” by Jens Larsen, David Boje, and Lena Bruun, the benefits of the True Storytelling® methodology is the process revolving around creating meaningful, ethical, and sustainable change in organizations. Here are the key benefits highlighted in the book:

  1. Enhanced Authenticity: True Storytelling® helps leaders and organizations align their actions with their values, fostering trust and credibility among stakeholders.
  2. Improved Engagement: By involving multiple voices and perspectives in crafting narratives, the process ensures broader engagement from employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
  3. Ethical Change Management: The framework emphasizes ethics in storytelling and action, minimizing harm and promoting responsible decision-making.
  4. Shared Vision and Coherence: True Storytelling® connects past experiences, current realities, and future aspirations, helping organizations create a shared vision that aligns their strategies and actions.
  5. Resilience and Adaptability: The iterative and dynamic nature of the process allows organizations to adapt their narratives and strategies in response to feedback and changing circumstances.
  6. Sustainability: By focusing on long-term ethical considerations and co-creating narratives that resonate deeply with all stakeholders, the approach fosters sustainable real time growth and change while building a solid platform for the process to act as a guide into the future.
  7. Building Trust and Relationships: The process fosters a culture of openness and collaboration, strengthening relationships within and outside the organization.
  8. Empowered Leadership and Teams: By using storytelling as a leadership tool, True Storytelling® enables leaders and teams to communicate more effectively and inspire action.

These benefits make the True Storytelling® change management methodology a powerful tool for driving ethical and sustainable change in organizations. It creates not just strategic alignment but also emotional and moral connections that enhance the impact of change initiatives.

The 7 principles of True Storytelling™

The 7 principles of True Storytelling®, as developed by the True Storytelling® Institute, are a set of guidelines designed to create powerful, authentic, and effective narratives. These principles can be applied in a variety of settings, including personal growth, organizational change, and leadership. Here is a summary of each principle:

  1. Be True:
    • Meaning: The story must be authentic and rooted in real experience. It should reflect the speaker’s true feelings, perspectives, and beliefs. This principle stresses the importance of honesty in storytelling to build trust with the audience.
    • Why It Matters: Authenticity makes the story relatable and credible. When people share true stories, they create an emotional connection with their audience, encouraging empathy and understanding.
  2. Respect the Stories Already There:
    • Meaning: Every individual, team, or organization has its own set of stories, traditions, and values. It’s important to recognize and honor these existing narratives before introducing new ones.
    • Why It Matters: Respecting existing stories creates a foundation of trust and continuity. It helps people feel heard and understood and allows new stories to build on the past, fostering a sense of shared identity.
  3. Create a Clear Plot:
    • Meaning: A good story needs a clear structure.  It should follow a logical progression that highlights a central theme or conflict and resolves it in a meaningful way, allowing room for future development through reflection. 
    • Why It Matters: Clear plots make stories easy to follow and more engaging. They guide the audience through the narrative and ensure that the message is clear and memorable.
  4. Timing and Place:
    • Meaning: Understanding the context and timing of when and where a story is told is crucial. Stories must align with the situation, mood, and energy of the moment.
    • Why It Matters: Proper timing ensures that the story resonates with the audience. Telling a story at the right time—when the audience is emotionally receptive or when it complements the situation—maximizes its impact.
  5. Help the Story Along:
    • Meaning: Good storytelling is a dynamic process that may require adjustments as the story unfolds. Being open to experimentation, adapting the story to the audience, and refining the delivery are important.
    • Why It Matters: Flexibility ensures that the story evolves naturally and can meet the changing needs of the audience, keeping it engaging and relevant.
  6. Staging:
    • Meaning: The way a story is presented, the setting, tone, and style—can significantly affect its impact. Staging includes how the story is framed, the environment in which it’s shared, and the medium used.
    • Why It Matters: Effective staging enhances the emotional impact of the story. The right setting and presentation can draw people in, making them more likely to connect with and remember the story.
  7. Reflection:
    • Meaning: After sharing a story, it’s important to reflect on its impact, the audience’s response, and how it fits into the larger context. This principle involves taking time to learn from the experience and adapt future stories.
    • Why It Matters: Reflection allows storytellers to improve their craft and ensures that stories continue to evolve and remain relevant to the audience’s needs and experiences.

These principles are used not just in professional or organizational settings, but also in personal development and growth, helping individuals and groups tell authentic, effective stories that inspire, engage, and foster deeper connections