Professional storyteller and author Robin Moore was our guide on Thursday, January 24 as we interactively explored the basic building blocks of story and how we can use story as a powerful tool for communication, leadership and organizational change. Along the way, Robin told some of his own stories and shared tricks of the trade that allowed him to receive the title "Storyteller of the Year" for 2001. For further details, visit his website at www.robin-moore.com

Here is what two members experienced:

My Story about Awakening the Hidden Storyteller: I guess the hidden storyteller isn't so hidden, at least inside me. It all started with Robin Moore, who spellbound us with the story about the Hairy Woman. As we talked about it afterwards, he helped us notice that we didn't get the story through his words; we got it through the images that were playing in our minds. While we looked with the outer eye at him, making faces, making all the voices, pantomiming the action, we were looking all the time at the images his story unlocked in our minds.

When he asked us to see the images that would come up inside each of us in response to our own story, I was surprised at how sharply they came up and how quickly. I played out the memory of my dad and the first time I rode a 2-wheel bike without his help. And the sense of my father was so sharply present, I could smell him, I could feel his hand on the seat of the bike as I peddled, yelling for him not to let go of me, and then that breathless moment when I heard his voice far behind me saying, "You're doing good, Jannie!"

Maybe I was wrong to say the hidden storyteller isn't so hidden. I hadn't thought about learning to ride a bike in really a long time (I won't say HOW long, to preserve a little mystique about how old I'm really getting) and suddenly I was there all over again. So the story itself wasn't hidden, wasn't lost. But the storyteller, now there's another thing. There was no self-consciousness in remembering that story, re-membering, putting it back together again. There was no self-consciousness, so the story itself could pour forth unhindered, sharp, quick, and old. And I, I was simply a witness, as Robin said, being there so it could happen.

I wish in all the stories in my life that I could be that open, that transparent, and that enthralled.

--- Janet Castellini

A few words on the evening: What a wonderful program! With his storytelling, Robin took us to a world of childlike wonder and delight. With his presence, he reminded us once again that whether as leaders, consultants, coaches or just plain human beings, the greatest gift we can bring is the ability to be our authentic selves. Stories connect us, show us our common humanity, and enable us to find a sense of shared meaning. As such, they are perhaps the ultimate "organization development tool!"

--- Jean Hurd

  
Original Program Announcement

The emerging leadership competency of communicating a compelling vision can lead to momentous shifts in organization culture. As a follow-up to the popular June 8 Appreciative Inquiry SIG workshop, PRODN offers an in-depth look at storytelling as a tool for communication, leadership and organizational change.

Professional storyteller and author Robin Moore will be our guide as we interactively explore the basic building blocks of story and how we can use story as a powerful tool for problem-solving, conflict resolution and rapport building with our clients and colleagues.

Robin will guide us through the creation of a story from beginning to end and show us how to use this technique to elicit the stories of others. This low-stress, fun filled approach will find us working with a partner as we develop our hidden storytelling abilities. Along the way, Robin will tell some of his own stories and share tricks of the trade that allowed him to receive the title "Storyteller of the Year" for 2001.

Robin Moore has made his living for the last twenty years as a visiting author, storyteller and workshop leader. He has written fourteen award-winning books, published by HarperCollins, Random House and Simon & Schuster, including "Awakening the Hidden Storyteller." He has presented more than 5,000 storytelling programs and workshops. Robin has taught his innovative approach at University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and Omega Institute. He has a B.A. in Journalism from Pennsylvania State University and is completing a M. A. in Oral Tradition from University of Missouri. For further details, visit his website at www.robin-moore.com