About Our Logo

What is the logo of True Storytelling Institute about? This image is emblematic of the Institute’s approach to storytelling, symbolizing growth, evolution, and the natural unfolding of narratives. The nautilus shell holds rich symbolic significance across cultures, disciplines, and imagery. Its distinctive shape displaying the Fibonacci sequence and golden ratio, evoke themes of beauty, growth and harmony as it adds new chamber to its shell as it grows, never going back to previous ones.

This choice of imagery reflects the Institute’s mission to guide organizations and individuals in using storytelling as a tool for ethical and sustainable change by personal development, spiritual evolution, and continuous learning. The nautilus, known for its spiral structure, is often associated with concepts of expansion and harmony, mirroring the Institute’s focus on creating stories that are truthful, respectful, and impactful. The Institute’s core methodology, called “True Storytelling,” is a trademarked structured approach to change management that emphasizes the ethical and collaborative creation of narratives. This method is grounded in seven principles that guide participants in identifying their core values, fostering psychological safety, and enhancing collective intelligence. The institute offers various programs, including foundational courses and certification programs, that teach participants how to apply these principles in different contexts, such as leadership, team building, and strategy development.

These programs are designed to help individuals find their “true story” and use it to navigate complex situations, improve communication, and drive positive change within their organizations or communities. True Storytelling® is not just about telling compelling stories; it’s about co-creating narratives that align with ethical and moral values facilitating meaningful engagement and commitment among all stakeholders involved.

What are the 7 principles of “True Storytelling®” and how do they work together?

The seven principles of True Storytelling® are designed to guide individuals and organizations in creating authentic, ethical, and effective narratives that drive positive change. Here’s a breakdown of each principle and how they work together:

1. Be True: This principle emphasizes the importance of aligning your story with what is true and ethical for you and your organization. It requires a deep reflection on existing narratives and values, questioning whether they need to evolve to create a more sustainable and authentic story.

2. Make Room: This principle is about respecting and understanding the stories that already exist within your environment. By acknowledging these narratives, you can integrate them into new stories, adding value and strategic energy.

3. Plot: This principle involves creating a new storyline or plot that departs from old narratives. The goal is to develop a story that motivates and prioritizes what truly matters to the people involved, allowing room for their smaller, personal stories within the broader narrative.

4. Timing and Place: Understanding the right time and space to implement your story is crucial. This principle focuses on the awareness of timing and setting, ensuring that your narrative unfolds in the most effective context.

5. Helping It Along: This principle recognizes that obstacles will inevitably arise. It’s about being open to experimentation and re-storying, which means adjusting the narrative as needed to overcome resistance and keep the story moving forward.

6. Staging: This principle is about how you present your story. It involves the strategic setup of meetings, workshops, or any environment where your narrative is shared, ensuring that everything is aligned to support the story’s success.

7. Reflection: The final principle emphasizes continuous reflection and adjustment. It involves regularly revisiting the narrative, fine-tuning it, and ensuring that it remains aligned with your values and goals as circumstances evolve.

How These Principles Work Together?

These principles are interdependent and form a dynamic loop. The process begins with identifying and grounding your story in truth, then making space for existing narratives, crafting a compelling plot, and considering the optimal timing and place for implementation. As you move forward, you help the story along by overcoming obstacles, stage it effectively, and continuously reflect and adjust the narrative to keep it aligned with your evolving goals and circumstances. This holistic approach ensures that your storytelling is not just about sharing information but about creating meaningful, ethical, and sustainable change.

How can I use the 7-principal process of “True Storytelling” to improve my personal life?

You can apply the seven principles of True Storytelling to improve your personal life by using them as a framework for personal growth, decision-making, and relationship building. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Truth: Discover Your Core Values

Action: Start by reflecting on what is genuinely true and important to you. Identify your core values and beliefs. Consider how these values shape your current life story and whether your actions align with them.
Impact: This helps you live more authentically, making decisions that reflect who you truly are, leading to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

2. Make Room: Acknowledge Existing Stories

Action: Recognize and respect the stories that already exist in your life—your past experiences, habits, and the influence of others around you. Understand how these stories contribute to your current situation.
Impact: This allows you to integrate past experiences positively, rather than letting them limit your growth. It also encourages empathy and understanding in your relationships

3. Plot: Create a New Narrative

Action: Develop a new storyline that reflects where you want to go in life. This could involve setting new goals, changing habits, or shifting your mindset to break away from unhelpful patterns.
Impact: Crafting a new narrative empowers you to move forward with intention, focusing on what truly matters and creating a path that aligns with your desired future.

4. Timing and Place: Understand the Right Moment

Action: Reflect on the timing and context of your actions. When is the best time to make a change or introduce a new element into your life? Consider the environment and circumstances that will best support your new narrative.
Impact: This principle helps you make strategic decisions, ensuring that changes are implemented when they’re most likely to succeed.

5. Helping It Along: Overcome Obstacles

Action: Be prepared to face challenges as you work on your new narrative. Stay flexible and open to adjusting your approach. Use problem-solving and creativity to overcome setbacks.
Impact: This resilience keeps you moving forward despite difficulties, preventing you from being derailed by unexpected obstacles.

6. Staging: Present Your Story Effectively

Action: Consider how you present yourself and your story in different contexts. This includes how you communicate with others, the environment you create around you, and how you show up in various aspects of your life.
Impact: Effective staging ensures that your story is communicated clearly and powerfully, helping you connect better with others and achieve your goals.

7. Reflection: Continuous Improvement

Action: Regularly reflect on your progress and experiences. Ask yourself how well your current story is working and what adjustments might be needed. Use this reflection to fine-tune your approach by repeating the 7-step process of principles.
Impact: Continuous reflection leads to personal growth, ensuring that you remain aligned with your values and goals as you evolve.

How They Work Together?

By following these principles, you create a cohesive process for personal development. Start by grounding your life in truth, make room for existing narratives, create a compelling new plot, and consider the timing and place for your actions. Stay resilient through obstacles, stage your story effectively, and continuously reflect and adjust. This integrated approach helps you build a more authentic, intentional, and fulfilling life.

How can I use the 7-principal process of “True Storytelling®” to foster teamwork in an organization?

Using the seven principles of True Storytelling® can significantly enhance teamwork within an organization by promoting transparency, collaboration, and alignment around shared goals. Here’s how you can apply each principle to foster teamwork:

1. Be True: Establish Common Values and Goals

Action: Start by collectively identifying the core values and objectives that are true and important to the team. Facilitate discussions where team members can express their perspectives and agree on shared principles that will guide their work.
Impact: This creates a strong foundation of trust and mutual understanding, ensuring that everyone is aligned with the team’s purpose and direction.

2. Make Room: Acknowledge and Respect Existing Narratives

Action: Recognize and respect the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and stories each team member brings to the table. Encourage open communication about these experiences and how they shape current work attitudes and practices.
Impact: By acknowledging existing narratives, you foster an inclusive environment where team members feel valued and understood, which enhances collaboration and reduces resistance to change.

3. Plot: Co-Create a New Team Narrative

Action: Collaborate with the team to create a new, shared narrative that reflects the collective vision and goals. This narrative should include how the team plans to overcome challenges, achieve objectives, and grow together.
Impact: A co-created narrative gives the team a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, motivating them to work towards common goals with a unified approach.

4. Timing and Place: Identify the Right Opportunities for Action

Action: Work together to identify the best times and contexts for implementing new initiatives or changes. Consider the current team dynamics, organizational climate, and external factors that could influence success.
Impact: By choosing the right timing and setting for actions, the team increases its chances of success and reduces potential friction or misunderstandings.

5. Helping It Along: Support Each Other Through Challenges

Action: Encourage a culture where team members actively support one another through obstacles. Use the principle of re-storying to adjust plans and strategies when faced with challenges and keep communication open and adaptive.
Impact: This principle fosters resilience within the team, helping members navigate challenges together and maintain momentum even when faced with setbacks.

6. Staging: Strategically Present the Team’s Work

Action: Pay attention to how the team’s work is presented both internally and externally. This includes how meetings are conducted, how results are shared, and how the team communicates its achievements.
Impact: Effective staging ensures that the team’s efforts are recognized and valued, boosting morale and reinforcing the team’s narrative within the larger organization.

7. Reflection: Continuously Improve and Adapt

Action: Implement regular reflection sessions where the team reviews progress discusses what’s working well and identifies areas for improvement. Use these insights to adjust the team’s narrative and strategies.
Impact: Continuous reflection keeps the team agile and aligned, allowing for ongoing improvement and ensuring that the team remains focused on achieving its goals in a dynamic environment.

How They Work Together?

When these principles are applied together, they create a cohesive approach to teamwork. The process begins with establishing shared truths and values, respecting existing narratives, and co-creating a new, motivating plot. By carefully considering timing and staging, supporting each other through challenges, and continuously reflecting and adapting, the team can work more effectively, fostering a collaborative and resilient work environment.