Following is a famous Jewish legend shared by philosopher, writer, and storyteller Elie Wiesel. In this legend we are reminded that change often comes through the power of stories:
When the great rabbi, the Baal Shem Tov, was alive and sensed disaster coming to his people, he would retreat to a certain part of the forest to make a special fire, chant a specific prayer, and thereby invoke a miracle from God to avert the calamity.
In the next generation, his disciple, compelled to perform the same ritual, didn’t know how to make the fire, but the act of going to the forest and saying the prayer was sufficient for God to cause the miracle.
A generation later, the succeeding rabbi, intent on rescuing his people, didn’t know the ritual for the fire or the prayer, but he could find the special place in the forest, and that was sufficient for God to bring about the miracle.
In the following generation, the next rabbi in line, faced with yet another catastrophe, moaned to God: “I don’t know how to make the fire, say the prayer, or find the place! All I can do is tell the story about it!” And that was sufficient for God because it is said that people live through stories, and God made people because he loves stories.
How you might use this story to invoke change:
- If you have a new team member that is succeeding someone very successful and he says “I don’t know how to do what he did,” tell him stories. Tell him that if he understands the truth in each story, he can apply that truth wthin the boundaries of his style – and that he will create his own stories.
- If a new leader has stepped in and his discounting everything a previous leader has done, remind her of the power of stories. Tell her the legend, and remind her that stories are shared and have power whether she wants them to or not. Then tell her that it is smarter to build on past stories than try to wipe the slate clean and create new ones.
- If you have any employees that doesn’t understand the “why” of their job, tell them about their legend. Then tell them the story of your company and your department. Help them understand that every day they will help build a bigger and better story, and that whether or not they want the responsibility they are now a character in the story that can either develop the plot or become a flat, throw-away character. Have them write down what kind of character they’d like to be in the story.
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Donna said
“it is smarter to build on past stories than try to wipe the slate clean and create new ones.”
That is wisdom that has been communicated from the very dawn of time by the very greatest storytellers ever. The best teachers, coaches and leaders are those who bring insights to new people with timeless wisdom. Nicely done Donna.
Always such beautiful and meaningful Rabbinic stories. This should be no surprise for me as Judaism has continued its culture and religion via stories of the TaNaKh and Mishnah. If ever one should doubt the power of stories, look to any religion.
The suggestions for the use of stories are, as always, on target and practical.
Dan:
Thanks for the comment. I actuall co-authored an article called “The Dark Side of Change” about faux change artists that try to tear down the past to build the future. Rarely works – even if the past was error filled there are always lessons that can create a better future.
Russ:
Religious stories are often the best, and too often we look to them last. Thanks for your comments . . . why don’t you find your favorite religious story and submit it with your own tips?? 🙂 You are probably aware of a lot more stories than I, and I’d love to have your thoughts and opinions on the lessons they teach!