Seven Archetypal Stories

It has been said that there are only seven archetypal stories. In his book, The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, Christopher Booker describes them this way:

1. Overcoming the Monster
2. Rags to Riches
3. A journey -- the Quest
4. A journey -- the Voyage and Return
5. Comedies
6. Tragedies
7. Rebirth

In the context of organizations, these stories often answer the following questions:

1. What happens when someone breaks the rules?
2. Is the big boss human?
3. Can the little person rise to the top?
4. Will I get fired?
5. Will the organization help me?
6. How will the boss react to mistakes?
7. How will the organization deal with obstacles?

Understanding how these stories circulate around the proverbial water cooler, trustworthy leaders make sure that people have positive stories to tell.

Coaching Inquiries: What kind of stories circulate in your organization? What kind of stories circulate about you, as leader? Who could tell you the truth about that? How can you shift the stories that are being told in a positive direction? What kinds of things do you want to pay attention to in order to make that happen?

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