Are We Losing a Grip on Reality The Power of Storytelling to Promote Personal and Organizational Resilience
Abstract
The best lessons I ever learned in life came from the worst. Life's experiences do not go away upon the completion of an event, they become our stories. Former Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Mark A. Welsh III encouraged all airmen to share the details of their lives and to learn from those of others, often stating, every Airman has a story. While the experience of trauma, such as death, physical assault, sexual assault, and divorce, are not uncommon, they are often brushed aside as something that only happens to other people. However, most people will experience adversity and significant negative events within a lifetime. Furthermore, we have all had a day that we would consider the worst day of our life. If by chance a particular experience does not happen to you, it undoubtedly will happen to someone you know, someone you love, or someone that works for you. In the US military, the perspective gained from experiencing hardship or listening to that of another person is essential to personal and organizational resilience. Imagine yourself as a Colonel who once considered himself suicidal or a Senior Master Sergeant whose daughter was abducted. These experiences would undoubtedly change your perspective on life and leadership forever. Are you willing to share that experience in attempt to help others? Unfortunately, stigmas and perceived culture of mental toughness often block an individuals willingness to disclose personal hardship. To break this, leaders must recognize the realities of life and the value of real life experiences to promote professional intimacy, strengthened relationships, and authenticity in order to learn from those around us. Through storytelling programs such as the Air Forces Storytellers, the military may be able to build a culture that not only promotes individual resiliency but also strengthens the organization as a whole.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1055028
Entities
People
- Matthew J Kless
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College