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Interviewing for Transformative Stories as a Communication Consulting and Training Method

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Dr. Dena Rosko
Dr. Dena Rosko

1. The document discusses using interviews as a method for organizational communication consulting and training to help organizations communicate their identity, values, and mission. 2. The narrative interview approach involves discovering an organization's story by interviewing its members to understand their perspectives. 3. Guidelines are provided for ethical and effective interviewing along with tips for analyzing interviews and sharing findings to empower organizations.

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Interviewing for Transformative Stories as a Communication Consulting and Training Method What¡¯s Your Story? Dena M. Rosko Gonzaga University ComL 511, Section A1 Dr. Cher Desautel 3 June 2010
Overview Tracking the Presentation Introduction Narrative Approach Interview Method Best Practices Analysis Tips Trade Tools Current Project Organizational Sketch Project Purpose
Overview Continued Tracking the Presentation Integration Relevance Potential Reach Ethics Consulting Triangle Communicating Transformation Defining Success Conclusion Discussion Questions References Author¡¯s Note
Introduction Once Upon a Time¡­ Interviewing for transformative stories as a communication consulting and training method helps organizations communicate their identity, relationships, vision, and mission in an engaging and relational way.
Narrative Approach Interviews as Story In interviews, people narrate the self. Narrating the self as myth means creating identity, living life, and promoting social change (McAdams, 1993). Shapes choices and actions. Consulting involves discovering the organization¡¯s story as told and shared by its constituents.
Interview Method Setting the Stage for Story Interpersonal and personable Reflects communication¡¯s interactive and social nature Elicits new information Satisfies a human need Illumines consulting inquiry¡¯s themes Adapted from Millar & Gallagher (2000)
Best Practices Advice for Interviewing Success Ask for permission Allow for opt-out Plan ahead Prepare questions in advance Ask open-ended follow-up and clarifying questions Seek social and cognitive closure Adapted from Caputo, Hazel, McMahon, Dannels (2002 ); Millar & Gallagher (2000)
Analysis Tips Understanding Interview Findings Familiarize yourself with the narrative samples Categorize and connect themes with other methods Focus on keywords and verbatim phrases Rely on these connections to inform recommendations and consulting proposals Adapted from Millar & Gallagher (2000)
Trade Tools An Interviewer¡¯s Toolkit Pen and Paper Digital Recorder Voice Dictation and Transcription Software Still or Motion Digital Camera New Media
Interviewing Exercises Reach In to Reach Out Human Ear: Listen! Conversational Presence: Reach Out! Reflection: Reach In! Creative Expression: Share!
Current Project The Testimony Project This project involves gathering audiovideographic interviews with founding members of a local area church, Highlands Community Church (HCC) in Renton, Washington to learn their testimonies, or stories about why they became a Christian, founded HCC, and how this work and faith has changed them.
Organization Sketch Highlands Community Church Began in 1958 to service post-WWII military families Currently operates as 1 church with a satellite campus in nearby Kent, Wash. Finished a recent initiative to teach members to communicate their faith to culture
Project Purpose The Reason Behind the Inquiry Legacy Support change and outreach initiatives Internal growth and learning Appreciation for HCC leaders Advocating intergenerational communication in organizations
Transformative Stories Consulting for Organizational Change Develops identity as social Appeals to the heart Persuades the mind Unites for a common good Shares meaning Connects people with culture Adapted from Denning (2005); Lipman (1999); McAdams (1993)
Transformative Stories Continued Consulting for Organizational Change Communication as process Balance story with audience expectations Experience personal and organizational growth Adapted from Denning (2005); Lipman (1999); McAdams (1993)
Integration Sharing the Findings Present findings in audiovisual and textual form Converge findings with available social networks and computer mediated communication (CMC) Use new media to springboard face-to-face interaction
Relevance Communicating Compassion and Hope Build community Lead with resonance through communication compassion and hope Appropriate for learning organizations and those in crisis Know identity and purpose Adapted from Block (2009); Boyatzis & McKee (2005); Maruska (2004)
Potential Reach Reaching Out and Reaching In Stories reach out and in Share meaning, identity, and vision with constituents Promote interaction and participation Inspire commitment and ownership Prompt social change Adapted from Denning (2005); Denzin (2003)
Ethics Consulting with Ethical Sensitivity Note public consequences to all communication. Leave interviewees better off than when you found them. Be sensitive to vulnerable populations. Design an ethics protocol. Listen actively and empathetically. Adapted from Caputo, et. al (2002); Couser (2004); DeGraaf, et. al (2004); Futrell & Willard (1994); Pearce & Pearce (2004); Millar & Gallagher (2000)
Ethics Continued Consulting with Ethical Sensitivity Continued Protect identity. Interview safely. Discern when to inquire and tell a story and when not to. Take courage. Enjoy. Adapted from Gonzaga University (2010)
Consulting Triangle Diagramming My Consulting Approach
Communicating Transformation Stories that Benefit People Consulting Approach
Defining Success Empowering Organizations to Succeed via Story Know Organization¡¯s Identity Care for Organization¡¯s Constituents Believe Organization¡¯s Vision Actualize Organization¡¯s Mission Communicate Beneficial Social Change
Conclusion That¡¯s a Wrap! The interview method provides an interpersonal and rich format for consultants to empower organizations to discover their identities, foster relationships, share vision and mission, and to communicate these findings in engaging and culturally relevant ways with their constituents.
Discussion Questions Tell Us What You Know! In what instances do you find the interview method contributes to consulting? What consulting approach or philosophy resonates most with you? What changes in your life contribute to your story trajectory? In what ways does your story influence your preferred consulting approach and method? Why?
References Block, P. (2009). Community: the structure of belonging . San Francisco: Berrett Koehler. Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2005). Resonant leadership . Boston: Harvard. Caputo, J.S., Hazel, H.C., McMahon, C., & Dannels, D. (2002). Communicating effectively: linking thought and expression (3rd ed.). Dubuque, IO: Kendall/Hunt. Couser, T.G. (2004). Vulnerable subjects: ethics and life writing . New York: Cornell.
References Continued DeGraaf, D., Tilley, C., & Neal, L. (2004). Servant-leadership characteristics in organizational life. In Spears, L. & Lawrence, M. (Eds.), Servant-leadership: Succeeding through trust, forgiveness, and bravery . San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Denning, S. (2005). The leader's guide to storytelling: mastering the art and the discipline of business and narrative . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Denzin, N. K. (2003a). Performance ethnography: Critical pedagogy and the politics of culture . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
References Continued DeGraaf, D., Tilley, C., & Neal, L. (2004). Servant-leadership characteristics in organizational life. In Spears, L. & Lawrence, M. (Eds.), Servant-leadership: Succeeding through trust, forgiveness, and bravery . San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Denning, S. (2005). The leader's guide to storytelling: mastering the art and the discipline of business and narrative . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Denzin, N. K. (2003). Performance ethnography: Critical pedagogy and the politics of culture . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
References Continued Futrell, A.W., & Willard, C.A. (1994). Intersubjectivity and interviewing. In E.M. McMahan, & K.L. Rogers (Eds.), Interactive oral history interviewing . Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Gonzaga University. (2010). OrgL 501 lecture #7: research ethics. Course Handout. Spokane, WA: Gonzaga University. Lipman, D. (1999). Improving your storytelling: beyond the basics for all who tell stories in work or play . Atlanta, GA: August House.
References Continued Maruska, D. (2004). How great decisions get made: 10 easy steps for reaching agreement on even the toughest issues . New York: AMACOM. McAdams, D.P. (1993). The stories we live by: personal myths and the making of the self . New York: Guilford. Millar, R., & Gallagher, M. (2000). The interview approach. In, O. Hargie & D. Tourish (Eds.), Handbook of communication audits for organisations (pp. 66-84). London: Routledge.
References Continued Pearce, W.B., & Pearce, K.A. (2004). Taking a communication perspective on dialogue. In R. Anderson, L.A. Baxter, & K.N. Cissna (Eds.), Dialogue: theorizing difference in communication studies . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Author¡¯s Note Special Thanks to¡­ Nathaniel Tally and Elders at Highlands Community Church Dr. Cher Desautel and Sara Johnston My colleagues and audience Photographs ? Dena Rosko

More Related Content

Interviewing for Transformative Stories as a Communication Consulting and Training Method

  • 1. Interviewing for Transformative Stories as a Communication Consulting and Training Method What¡¯s Your Story? Dena M. Rosko Gonzaga University ComL 511, Section A1 Dr. Cher Desautel 3 June 2010
  • 2. Overview Tracking the Presentation Introduction Narrative Approach Interview Method Best Practices Analysis Tips Trade Tools Current Project Organizational Sketch Project Purpose
  • 3. Overview Continued Tracking the Presentation Integration Relevance Potential Reach Ethics Consulting Triangle Communicating Transformation Defining Success Conclusion Discussion Questions References Author¡¯s Note
  • 4. Introduction Once Upon a Time¡­ Interviewing for transformative stories as a communication consulting and training method helps organizations communicate their identity, relationships, vision, and mission in an engaging and relational way.
  • 5. Narrative Approach Interviews as Story In interviews, people narrate the self. Narrating the self as myth means creating identity, living life, and promoting social change (McAdams, 1993). Shapes choices and actions. Consulting involves discovering the organization¡¯s story as told and shared by its constituents.
  • 6. Interview Method Setting the Stage for Story Interpersonal and personable Reflects communication¡¯s interactive and social nature Elicits new information Satisfies a human need Illumines consulting inquiry¡¯s themes Adapted from Millar & Gallagher (2000)
  • 7. Best Practices Advice for Interviewing Success Ask for permission Allow for opt-out Plan ahead Prepare questions in advance Ask open-ended follow-up and clarifying questions Seek social and cognitive closure Adapted from Caputo, Hazel, McMahon, Dannels (2002 ); Millar & Gallagher (2000)
  • 8. Analysis Tips Understanding Interview Findings Familiarize yourself with the narrative samples Categorize and connect themes with other methods Focus on keywords and verbatim phrases Rely on these connections to inform recommendations and consulting proposals Adapted from Millar & Gallagher (2000)
  • 9. Trade Tools An Interviewer¡¯s Toolkit Pen and Paper Digital Recorder Voice Dictation and Transcription Software Still or Motion Digital Camera New Media
  • 10. Interviewing Exercises Reach In to Reach Out Human Ear: Listen! Conversational Presence: Reach Out! Reflection: Reach In! Creative Expression: Share!
  • 11. Current Project The Testimony Project This project involves gathering audiovideographic interviews with founding members of a local area church, Highlands Community Church (HCC) in Renton, Washington to learn their testimonies, or stories about why they became a Christian, founded HCC, and how this work and faith has changed them.
  • 12. Organization Sketch Highlands Community Church Began in 1958 to service post-WWII military families Currently operates as 1 church with a satellite campus in nearby Kent, Wash. Finished a recent initiative to teach members to communicate their faith to culture
  • 13. Project Purpose The Reason Behind the Inquiry Legacy Support change and outreach initiatives Internal growth and learning Appreciation for HCC leaders Advocating intergenerational communication in organizations
  • 14. Transformative Stories Consulting for Organizational Change Develops identity as social Appeals to the heart Persuades the mind Unites for a common good Shares meaning Connects people with culture Adapted from Denning (2005); Lipman (1999); McAdams (1993)
  • 15. Transformative Stories Continued Consulting for Organizational Change Communication as process Balance story with audience expectations Experience personal and organizational growth Adapted from Denning (2005); Lipman (1999); McAdams (1993)
  • 16. Integration Sharing the Findings Present findings in audiovisual and textual form Converge findings with available social networks and computer mediated communication (CMC) Use new media to springboard face-to-face interaction
  • 17. Relevance Communicating Compassion and Hope Build community Lead with resonance through communication compassion and hope Appropriate for learning organizations and those in crisis Know identity and purpose Adapted from Block (2009); Boyatzis & McKee (2005); Maruska (2004)
  • 18. Potential Reach Reaching Out and Reaching In Stories reach out and in Share meaning, identity, and vision with constituents Promote interaction and participation Inspire commitment and ownership Prompt social change Adapted from Denning (2005); Denzin (2003)
  • 19. Ethics Consulting with Ethical Sensitivity Note public consequences to all communication. Leave interviewees better off than when you found them. Be sensitive to vulnerable populations. Design an ethics protocol. Listen actively and empathetically. Adapted from Caputo, et. al (2002); Couser (2004); DeGraaf, et. al (2004); Futrell & Willard (1994); Pearce & Pearce (2004); Millar & Gallagher (2000)
  • 20. Ethics Continued Consulting with Ethical Sensitivity Continued Protect identity. Interview safely. Discern when to inquire and tell a story and when not to. Take courage. Enjoy. Adapted from Gonzaga University (2010)
  • 21. Consulting Triangle Diagramming My Consulting Approach
  • 22. Communicating Transformation Stories that Benefit People Consulting Approach
  • 23. Defining Success Empowering Organizations to Succeed via Story Know Organization¡¯s Identity Care for Organization¡¯s Constituents Believe Organization¡¯s Vision Actualize Organization¡¯s Mission Communicate Beneficial Social Change
  • 24. Conclusion That¡¯s a Wrap! The interview method provides an interpersonal and rich format for consultants to empower organizations to discover their identities, foster relationships, share vision and mission, and to communicate these findings in engaging and culturally relevant ways with their constituents.
  • 25. Discussion Questions Tell Us What You Know! In what instances do you find the interview method contributes to consulting? What consulting approach or philosophy resonates most with you? What changes in your life contribute to your story trajectory? In what ways does your story influence your preferred consulting approach and method? Why?
  • 26. References Block, P. (2009). Community: the structure of belonging . San Francisco: Berrett Koehler. Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2005). Resonant leadership . Boston: Harvard. Caputo, J.S., Hazel, H.C., McMahon, C., & Dannels, D. (2002). Communicating effectively: linking thought and expression (3rd ed.). Dubuque, IO: Kendall/Hunt. Couser, T.G. (2004). Vulnerable subjects: ethics and life writing . New York: Cornell.
  • 27. References Continued DeGraaf, D., Tilley, C., & Neal, L. (2004). Servant-leadership characteristics in organizational life. In Spears, L. & Lawrence, M. (Eds.), Servant-leadership: Succeeding through trust, forgiveness, and bravery . San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Denning, S. (2005). The leader's guide to storytelling: mastering the art and the discipline of business and narrative . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Denzin, N. K. (2003a). Performance ethnography: Critical pedagogy and the politics of culture . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • 28. References Continued DeGraaf, D., Tilley, C., & Neal, L. (2004). Servant-leadership characteristics in organizational life. In Spears, L. & Lawrence, M. (Eds.), Servant-leadership: Succeeding through trust, forgiveness, and bravery . San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Denning, S. (2005). The leader's guide to storytelling: mastering the art and the discipline of business and narrative . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Denzin, N. K. (2003). Performance ethnography: Critical pedagogy and the politics of culture . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • 29. References Continued Futrell, A.W., & Willard, C.A. (1994). Intersubjectivity and interviewing. In E.M. McMahan, & K.L. Rogers (Eds.), Interactive oral history interviewing . Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Gonzaga University. (2010). OrgL 501 lecture #7: research ethics. Course Handout. Spokane, WA: Gonzaga University. Lipman, D. (1999). Improving your storytelling: beyond the basics for all who tell stories in work or play . Atlanta, GA: August House.
  • 30. References Continued Maruska, D. (2004). How great decisions get made: 10 easy steps for reaching agreement on even the toughest issues . New York: AMACOM. McAdams, D.P. (1993). The stories we live by: personal myths and the making of the self . New York: Guilford. Millar, R., & Gallagher, M. (2000). The interview approach. In, O. Hargie & D. Tourish (Eds.), Handbook of communication audits for organisations (pp. 66-84). London: Routledge.
  • 31. References Continued Pearce, W.B., & Pearce, K.A. (2004). Taking a communication perspective on dialogue. In R. Anderson, L.A. Baxter, & K.N. Cissna (Eds.), Dialogue: theorizing difference in communication studies . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • 32. Author¡¯s Note Special Thanks to¡­ Nathaniel Tally and Elders at Highlands Community Church Dr. Cher Desautel and Sara Johnston My colleagues and audience Photographs ? Dena Rosko