Becoming a Narrative-Enabled Organisation
Strategy rarely fails on paper. It fails in the gap between what leaders intend and what people actually hear: priorities get reinterpreted, change initiatives compete for attention, and before you know it all this unnecessary friction is slowing progress.
That’s where the Narrative-Enabled Organisation comes in.
We work with leadership teams to develop and embed a rich, storytelling-led narrative process that:
- connects a future that’s motivating and meaningful with what’s needed to get there
- lives as an ongoing story, not a one-off intervention, so the impact lasts
- sets clear leadership priorities for progress and communication, right from the outset
- is structured in evolving ‘seasons’, giving you the flexibility to deal with the unexpected.
Where does the Narrative-Enabled Organisation have most impact?
- Leadership teams aligning around strategy
- Growing businesses losing their focus
- Culture, values and transformation programmes
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Communications and HR teams leading organisational change
Whether you’re looking to recover the growth focus you once had, launch a transformation, embed new values or navigate significant change, we’ll work with you to build the living story that connects and mobilises it all.
HOW THIS WORKS
Shape. Structure. Share.
Our three-stage approach helps you move from ideas and intentions to a rich narrative that can be implemented consistently across the business
Where we get to know your people, explore the beliefs and attitudes underpinning your organisation, and develop an ongoing narrative with you to tackle the challenges you need to overcome. Applying the science behind human connection and culture, we work closely with you to develop a purposeful and evolving story that’s relevant, resonant and long-term.
Where we map out your narrative’s opening season and episodes to inject the pace and energy that involves everyone in your great endeavour. You’ll have a quarterly plan that evolves over time and a process that keeps your narrative alive and relevant. Like a compelling TV drama, a real organisational narrative can’t be communicated in a leaflet; it has to be made every day.
Where we make sure each episode of the narrative works hard to deliver its objectives. You will have access to our support for as long as you need, keeping your plan on track over time, reviewing success measures regularly and helping refresh the narrative to keep it working. Need some inspiration? We’ll complement and strengthen your own team’s skills with our storytelling expertise.
WHEN CLIENTS TYPICALLY ENGAGE US
Narrative-Enabled Organisation FAQ
What is a Narrative-Enabled Organisation?
It’s an organisation of any size that uses strong, evolving narrative as a process to connect people with their strategy, culture, values and change initiatives in a way that boosts productivity, retention and performance.
What is the importance of connecting people through narrative?
Long-term consistency and relevance are the most difficult areas of leadership communication to get right. With so much information around, cutting through with what’s important and connecting it all together transforms everyone’s understanding of the difference they make and why that matters.
What's the difference between strategy and narrative?
A strategy explains what the organisation wants to achieve. A narrative helps people understand why it matters and how they fit into it. It also paces unfolding story over time to help people absorb the detail.
What's the difference between storytelling training and organisational narrative development?
Storytelling training develops individual communication skills. Organisational narrative development creates the strategic story that leaders and teams deliver across the business.
How do you develop an organisational narrative?
Our tried and tested Shape, Structure, Share methodology is the way to uncover, build and embed organisational narratives that mobilise strategy, culture and change. It draws on the powerful techniques of drama development, bypassing the obstacles that a lot of traditional communication and action planning run into.
Who should be involved in narrative development?
In our experience a broad base of involvement works best. Voices from outside the leadership team as well as inside bring balance and perspective. And if there is a personality around that could undermine the process, bring them in and we’ll win them over.
How long does it take to set up a Narrative-Enabled Organisation?
All depends on the complexity of the organisation and the scope of the project. We tailor each engagement to your needs. Having said that, the core narrative is created over a period of weeks and benefits will be felt very quickly. The better question is how long will it last. The answer to that is simple: as long as you need it to.
Can narrative development support culture change?
Yes. In fact, it is the most effective way to deeply embed a new culture because it uses the same psychological influences that created the culture you have in place now.
Can narrative development support transformation programmes?
Yes. Transformation has the same shape as story – they share the same human drivers. Understanding how stories are structured and why is the key to successful transformation delivery. Whether the context is mergers, restructures, strategic shifts or large-scale change initiatives, narrative is the connective tissue between objectives and outcomes.
