You are not you in an organization, but you are what the stories tell about you. In many different organizational contexts, you are your narrative.
The narrative shapes us, and it shapes those around us. We try to live up to it.
How many people know the real you? Are they hiring you or the illusion of you - the story told about you?
And who created your narrative? Someone was characterizing you. Somehow, down the road, your story was shaped into what it is today.
People are cognitively lazy when it comes to others. When someone asks "Hey, do you know Steffan?" the easiest thing to do is just to repeat the description that you just heard instead of making up your own.
Changing an established, dominating story in an organization is quite tricky, but not impossible. You can influence what is being said and how the story is told. You can become the author of your own story.
But you have to make sure it's not just a "story told", but also a "story lived". It has to be based on behaviors experienced by several people.
To take control of your narrative is to take control of what you do and select the important "stars in the star signs".
Didn't get the job you applied for because they wanted someone more strategic?
When you introduce yourself in meetings next time, drop a potential piece of your narrative.
"Well, I am first and foremost known as a strategist. I enjoy helping other teams and I'm often invited to help build strategies in various parts of the company. I'm not saying I'm an expert strategist - I think it's mainly because I don't mind lending a helping hand that people call me a strategist".
The words will spread, and invitations will start to drop in, requesting strategic help. The expectations to you will rise and you will start living up to it.
This will lead to some successful strategies which people begin to talk about at the water cooler.
The next time you apply for the same strategic position, it's not unlikely that "I hear you are quite a strategist" will be the opening mark from the recruiting manager.
How do you shape your story?
"Magic@Work" by Christian Vandsø Andersen
