Shifting Stories

by Andrew Scott (Contributor)

Shifting Stories explores the power of stories in organisational life and will help you take a new approach to: Helping people who feel stuck, energising individuals who wish to change, getting teams to work more effectively, resolving interpersonal problems, helping people through organisational change, dealing with conflict, working on yourself. Written in three sections, What's the Big Idea?, The ManyStory Approach in Practice, and Concluding Thoughts, each section works towards the reader having a deeper understanding of how to create a better future at work. Section One describes how we all live our lives through story, how problems may arise because of the stories people have created, how we can make stories come true, for good or for ill, and how we can work with stories to achieve better outcomes. Section Two details how we can apply the ManyStory Approach, with case studies exploring coaching, teamwork, leading change, and resolving conflict. Section Three consolidates the ideas of the book, looking firstly at the few occasions when this approach hasn't worked and what we can learn from that. This section also looks to the future and invites readers to share their experiences. Shifting Stories will be of strong interest to trainers, coaches, change agents, and leaders who seek to help individuals and teams to be more effective at work.

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(11)artists & British Columbia

Scott, Andrew, 1947-
from Library of Congress website

Reviews

[Cathy Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gem of a book, clearly and concisely written, with real life scenarios and analyses offering ways to renegotiate the narratives of personality-defining events in the workplace (though applicable to any situation) by 'shifting' the story. It is readable and clear with an approachable lack of jargon and will be useful to both the counsellor and those seeking the new outlook.

[Frances Fogel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Bit repetitive.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shifting Stories develops the idea that one's interactions with the world of work - and by extension the world at large - can be seen as stories. So, for example, you might write the story "John Jobling Hates Me" - based on the fact he left you out of the coffee run last week - and this might have a negative impact on your dealings with him. It demonstrates how the stories one constructs around one's life can be helpful or unhelpful. It then goes on to show how it is possible - with the help of case studies and the ideas and techniques in this book - to moderate them and get a better outcome for every character in the story. To shift them.
It is beautifully written and laid out in a clear and approachable style that avoids jargon, enlivened by some charming cartoons. The book is structured so you can dip in at almost any point - and has a good index to aid this navigation - but I ended up reading it end to end.
I think it is firstly aimed at trainers and coaches, but from my own non-professional perspective it still made a good read with some thought provoking ideas. Specifically - from the point of somebody who has been on the receiving end of coaching and training over the years - I found the chapter on change management to be excellent.