Who’s Stories Shape Your World?
- How Your Reality is Defined by Storytellers.
Every time you see a map of the world, Europe is at the center — why is that? The story about Adam and Eve often portrays Eve as ignorant and easily duped into eating an apple in the garden of Eden. How might our society be different had the storyteller highlighted Eve’s eagerness to learn and braveness to take on new opportunities? If the story about Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first black and female self-made millionaire was as well known as John D. Rockefeller, the first American white and male billionaire, how might that impact the appearance of today’s business leaders?
Why Do Stories Matter?
Our society is built on the stories that somebody with power, incentive and resources wanted to leave the world with. Whomever wins the war, writes the story. Whomever has the money to publish a book and the skill to write, with access to people with money to spend on literature and ability to read are the ones who leave their mark or the world. Even the word “history,” our “truth” about the events that happened before us, is a story — it’s HIS-STORY*.
Whomever wins the war, writes the story.
Storytelling creates connections among and between people and ideas. Stories convey our culture and values, they tell us what’s right and wrong both in interpersonal relationships, in businesses and in countries.
The Story About Sophia & the 71 Books
A simple story from my own life illustrates the authors of many of our realities, and I want to share one way I’ve decided to change my relationship to the stories I allow into my life. Let’s talk about Sophia.
Even the word “history,” our “truth” about the events that happened before us, is a story — it’s HIS-STORY*.
A month ago, I met Sophia Braun on LinkedIn. Sophia is a Ph.D. candidate in Germany who had received a list of “influential readings” for a Masters Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Out of 5 pages consisting of 71 books on startups, leadership and innovation, only 1 had a female single author, and just 4 had women as co-authors alongside male co-authors. That’s 7% of the books on that list. Or, in her own words, “crazily skewed.”
Why does this matter? Because the people who shape our stories shape our beliefs, products, services, laws, schools, cities, societies and our world.
There are few things that I think about as much about as I think about both innovation and equality. Still, identifying female authors in this space wasn’t as easy for me as I would have wanted. Luckliy, Sophia quickly received hundreds of comments on literature by female authors and gathered them on a list with 70 books.
The people who shape our stories shape our beliefs, products, services, laws, schools, cities, societies and our world.
So, What Did We Do?
We decided to start reading these books and more intentionally highlight, discuss and shape our own worlds with more stories from less told points of view. Let me highlight some of the women we’ve been excited to read: Our book club recently finished the great The Insider’s Guide to Culture Change by Siobhan McHale and where we learned of her own experience leading change and guiding us through a 4-step process through culture transformation.
The second book we’re excited to start is, Seeing Around Corners by the Queen of Strategy, Rita McGrath. And on top of reading thought sparking books, I get to meet bi-weekly to discuss them with the inspiring Kristina Medow, Jenny Trang, Johana Forero Rondón, and Niven Postma all spread out over the world and with origins from Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America.
And, What Can You Do?
So, what can you do yourself to be more intentional about the stories you allow to shape your reality. I recommend to start with some reflection:
What stories have you been told about the world or yourself? What stories are you telling others? How are they shaping your life? Are there stories you are ready to create, reshape or even let go of?
Stay in Touch!
When you’re keen on discussing — I’d love to hear your thoughts! And if you’re curious to read more of mine, you’ll find them by following me on LinkedIn or here on Medium.
Also, if you have an author or book to recommend — Please comment to help us add to the list of female authors in innovation, leadership, strategy and business.
(* The word “History” has coincidentally no association to gender.)
