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The Value of Story Sharing
By Dolly Haik-Adams Berthelot 1989,1996

Since the most primitive campfires and throughout history, stories have helped teach, influence, and bind people together.

Stories have fostered the understanding of self, of others, and of life, which is vital to progress. Such understanding is sorely needed today, as we struggle to live and work together and progress toward common goals.

Yet we have lost “ natural” story telling traditions and skills. In 20th century America, except for some notable revitalization efforts, imaginative stories have been relegated to commercial, mass media prefabrications and personal stories limited to the psychoanalyst’s couch.. I recommend an alternative: Let’s share and use thoughtful, meaningful fiction and stories from our own experience and that of other people we know.

An individual, an organization, or a society that encourages and engages in story sharing invites others in. Ignoring or withholding stories shuts people out. That keeps us ignorant and isolated; it is neither practical nor wise. Clear, honest story sharing is a powerful human strategy used to:

• stimulate critical and creative thinking,
• increase awareness and understanding,
• teach effectively,
• influence attitudes, behavior, culture change,
• create a climate for unity within diversity,
• integrate people who are new to particular groups,
• reinforce cultural values and ethics,
• orient newcomers to work roles or organizations.

Such purposes are important to work places, churches, schools, and other organizations, as well as to individuals, community, and society.

Story sharing can enhance awareness, human relations, performance, ethics, team spirit, organizational understanding and loyalty. Exploring and sharing true stories is valuable for self help, or self improvement, or organizational, team or process improvement. It can be a powerful basis for spiritual, personal, professional, or organizational development.

More specifically, story sharing may help:

• improve writing, speaking, and listening skills,
• illustrates points, provide concrete examples,
• stir feelings and “ right brain” responses,
• humanize strangers, and those different from us,
• level the playing field for outsiders,
• foster empathy, human connections, relationships,
• open minds and hearts,
• deepen appreciation of differences and commonality.

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