The Risk vs Reward of Storytelling
As so beautifully demonstrated by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in this brilliant TED Talk we’ve revisited, storytelling carries both the potential for widespread change and positive impact within large communities, and also an inherent risk.
Stories that are adopted by the masses carry their message into the future, for better or sometimes for worse.
The responsibility we all share as leaders in the for-purpose community, is to ensure that the stories we tell (and promote) are ethical, upright and stand the test of time.
It sounds simple, but in application - it’s not so easy.
This is just one of the reasons that diversity is such a critical factor within business today. Diversity enhances perspective - and allows more oversight and input into narratives that are actively shaping our culture.
How can you blend your impact and story together in a way that is responsible and aligned - not just to business objectives, but to the overarching societal goals that we as a community contribute to?
Ask:
What is the ultimate impact I’m hoping to create, for the business and for our wider community?
Will our current messaging produce those results?
Have I got real opinions from diverse backgrounds, that validate this message?
Can I say that what we are communicating is 100% lived, breathed and fully operational within our business - right now?
If this is a viral moment - will we be happy with the messages we’re pushing? Or have we unknowingly bought into societal norms or stereotyping as just one example.
Who owns the story? Are there people that need a voice or more control over their own narrative?
Often, within our clients and connections - we find a common theme or barrier to achieving well-thought-out storytelling is a simple lack of resources.
It’s no secret that SMEs can have tight turnarounds, lots of change and dynamism, and a team spread thin.
There are many considerations that we make daily as leaders in the for-purpose space. We understand how this works, and we are passionate about supporting our ecosystem and specialise in the art of storytelling for purpose-driven businesses.
We know that leaning into each others’ strengths and finding our place within the sector to shine, is what it’s all about!
Empowering and supporting our brilliant women employed and training within Humans of Purpose is crucial to our mission, and we have mastered the skill of impact storytelling as a team.
Digital marketing is exciting, yes! But what we love is the chance to support and craft the meaningful stories that will shape our entire community, now and in future.
Book a discovery call with Bella Borello here, we’d love to chat through your current online strategy, your goals and give you a real boost of value for any current or upcoming campaigns!