Nine Functions of Stories and Their Effects

 

Stories are used to: Stories have the following effects:
1. Empower a speaker Entertain
2. Create an environment Create trust and openness between yourself and others
3. Bind and bond individuals Elicit stories from others
4. Engage our minds in active listening Listen actively in order to:
    Understand context and perspective
   Identify the root cause of a problem
   Uncover resistance and hidden agendas
 
5. Negotiate differences Shift perspectives in order to:
    See each other
    Experience empathy
    Enter new frames of reference
    Hold diverse points of view
6. Encode information Become aware of operating biases and values
7. Act as tools for thinking Create a working metaphor to illuminate an opinion, rationale, vision, or decision.
8. Serve as weapons Establish connections between different ideas and concepts to support an opinion or decision
9. Bring about healing Think outside the box to generate creative solutions and breakthroughs.