http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2014/03/31/think-youre-not-getting-the-real-story-4-ways-to-get-people-to-tell-you-the-truth/
My first instinct when looking for an article to complete this assignment was to Google current events. But after a bit of searching I wasn't finding anything that really captured the meta analysis of narrative theory in the way I wanted so I took a different approach; I looked for an article about how to control it rather than how it was being controlled in a specific situation. This is where I found Erika Andersen's "Think You're Not Getting The Real Story? 4 Ways to Get People to Tell You the Truth." I found this especially compelling considering our readings for this week. When it comes to getting at the truth, a boss is (sometimes?) (always?) hoping their employees are reliable narrators. The general advice for bosses looking for reliable story-telling from their employees is simple; "The only way to get the real story from people is to make it as safe as possible for them to share it with you." Now, how do we make it safe for them? 1) Invite It- Essentially, you have to ask them for the truth. They may not volunteer it. 2) Embrace It- If you ask someone to tell you the truth when they do you have to accept it. 3) Support the giver- "Nothing bad can happen to the person who spoke out." 4) Act on It- If you want them to be honest in the future you must change your behavior based on what they say so their behavior is reinforced.
My takeaway? This is not great advice. The first part, where we're making people feel safe and welcome? Of course! I think that's fantastic. Still, we don't live in a world where every person/narrator is a good-hearted fearful whistle-blower waiting to happen. A little skepticism is a solid approach to listening. I think the strangest step for me, the one that makes me think there's little chance anyone reading Forbes is going to go out and implement these steps is the second one. Embrace It. Sure, after it checks out. But, I don't know, maybe check multiple sources first? Even when their story is true for them... even when your narrator has the best of intentions... she may still see the yellow walls coming to take her in. You know what I mean?
I didn't even get into the relationship between the "truth" and the "narrative." What she is calling truth in this article is a narrative, and even in trying to get the most, let's say, authentic version of that narrative the leader is still trying to control it. This subject is a little Russian Nesting Doll.
ReplyDeleteHmm, create a reliable narrator by appearing to be reliable narratee? Yes, probably not entirely good advice for business- but a very evocative idea for approaching fictional narratives!
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