MBA FPX 5002 Assessment 3 Using Stories to Build Relationships

Student Name

Capella University

MBA-FPX5002 MBA Leadership

Prof. Name:

Date

Abstract

A leader’s primary duty is to inspire and motivate their coworkers (Edinger, 2014). Inspiration involves generating emotions that can influence and motivate others. To effectively motivate, a relationship must exist between the leader and the employees (Edinger, 2014). Leaders foster these relationships through shared values, collaboration, and commitment (Schaefer, 2015). Shared values help leaders guide employees toward a common goal (MacFarland, 2013). Collaboration enables leaders to better understand and motivate employees, while shared commitment fosters loyalty to the company and its objectives (Schaefer, 2015). Storytelling is a vital tool for leaders in establishing relationships, as it helps promote shared values, collaboration, and commitment (Hess, 2018). Through storytelling, leaders can convey information, build trust, and strengthen relationships (“The Ariel Group,” 2011). Various story types are appropriate for different situations. As the new leader of NASA’s engineering department, I would tell a general business story about NASA’s launch history to motivate my team toward future goals (“The Ariel Group,” 2011). By comparing past events to future aspirations, I can drive my team toward change.

Establishing Relationships: How Leaders Can Build Relationships and Trust through Storytelling

Effective leadership relies on the ability to motivate and guide employees toward shared objectives (Edinger, 2014). A leader’s capacity to motivate stems from the relationships they form with others. Building relationships is essential for effective leadership because it allows leaders to better understand and collaborate with those around them (Hess, 2018). Leaders can develop trust and relationships with employees by establishing common values, promoting collaboration, and fostering shared commitment (Schaefer, 2015). Storytelling is a powerful tool for expressing and reinforcing these elements (Hess, 2018).

Shared values play a critical role in leadership. Leaders are responsible for motivating people who share similar values to pursue a common goal. Through strong leadership, the company’s vision can become a reality (Kruse, 2013). A company’s vision is rooted in its purpose and values (Hawthorne, 2018). Values form the foundation for organizational objectives and goals. When employee values align with those of the organization, employees are more engaged, and communication becomes clearer (MacFarland, 2013). Southwest Airlines exemplifies the alignment of company and employee values, particularly concerning customer service. Employees are empowered to engage with customers in positive ways, and they are recognized for their efforts. Sharing values facilitates motivation and collaboration among coworkers and across departments (Gallo, 2014).

Collaboration is defined as working together with others to complete a task (“collaborate,” 2018). In business, collaboration is crucial because it enables all parties to work together to achieve the organization’s goals. Collaboration fosters better understanding and teamwork among individuals (Heathfield, 2017). For example, pharmaceutical company UCB maintains its competitive edge through collaboration with its patients, which helps the company develop new strategies for treating diseases. This collaborative approach allows UCB to stay innovative and customer-focused (Turiera & Cros, 2013). In any business scenario, collaboration is essential because it draws on the knowledge and commitment of others to help achieve goals (Goman, 2014).

MBA FPX 5002 Assessment 3 Using Stories to Build Relationships

Commitment is established through personal and professional communication between leaders and employees. These interactions enhance understanding among coworkers, fostering shared values and effective collaboration (Grigoreva, 2017). A workplace culture that promotes shared values and collaboration encourages employees to feel valued, included, and motivated (Thompson, 2017). When leaders demonstrate genuine interest and commitment toward their employees, employees, in turn, commit to the company (Heathfield, 2017). Caterpillar Global Paving exemplifies this commitment through its focus on the long-term health and safety of its employees. This commitment is reinforced through collaboration with Environmental Health and Safety professionals and through employee training and certification (“100 Committed Companies,” 2010). Employees who feel valued are more likely to share the organization’s values (Hall, 2014). Communication, particularly through storytelling, is a powerful way to foster shared values, collaboration, and commitment (Schaefer, 2015).

Storytelling is an effective method for building trust and relationships (Hess, 2018). It involves conveying information while instilling trust and strengthening relationships (“The Ariel Group,” 2011). Compelling stories can alter the listener’s brain chemistry, fostering greater trust and understanding (Zak, 2014). Additionally, storytelling engages emotions, making stories memorable and motivational (Fryer, 2003). Leaders can use storytelling to increase employee engagement by activating the listener’s imagination, allowing them to better experience the story. Effective storytelling expresses the storyteller’s personality, ideas, and values, fostering better relationships between leaders and employees. Through storytelling, leaders build trust, establish shared values, and inspire employees to work toward common goals (Schaefer, 2015).

MBA FPX 5002 Assessment 3 Using Stories to Build Relationships

Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS, uses storytelling to communicate his values, build relationships, and motivate stakeholders (“Blake Mycoskie,” n.d.). His business model is built around a compelling story that appeals to people’s emotions. Mycoskie shares the story of his visit to Argentina, where he observed the challenges children faced due to a lack of shoes. This experience inspired him to create a for-profit business with a charitable component: for every pair of shoes sold, TOMS donates a pair to someone in need. Through this emotional story, Mycoskie motivates listeners and inspires his employees, stakeholders, and customers (Fryer, 2003).

Different types of stories are effective in different contexts. Personal stories can help establish values and create bonds with listeners (“The Ariel Group,” 2011). These stories help make the storyteller relatable (King, n.d.). Personal business stories, on the other hand, can inspire listeners by drawing on shared experiences. General business stories are used to motivate employees toward change by comparing past challenges with future ideals. Fables are another type of story, often used to teach lessons that resonate with a wide audience (“The Ariel Group,” 2011).

As the new leader of NASA’s engineering team, I would share a general business story highlighting past mistakes and how cultural changes could lead to a safer and more reliable workplace (Snarski, 2017). By identifying past problems and offering solutions, I could motivate my team to work together toward positive change. Storytelling will enable me to foster shared values, build stronger relationships, and encourage open communication (Snarski, 2017).

References

100 Committed Companies. (2010). Retrieved from https://www.ishn.com/articles/89771-100-committed-companies

Blake Mycoskie. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.toms.com/blakes-bio

collaborate. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collaborate

Edinger, S. (2014). For Leaders, Relationships Trump Expertise. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottedinger/2014/02/25/for-leaders-relationships-trump-expertise/#44b4aaa66414

Fryer, B. (2003). Storytelling That Moves People. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2003/06/storytelling-that-moves-people

Gallo, C. (2014). Southwest Airlines Motivates Its Employees With A Purpose Bigger Than A Paycheck. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2014/01/21/southwest-airlines-motivates-its-employees-with-a-purpose-bigger-than-a-paycheck/#2191c5c55376

Goman, C. (2014). 8 Tips For Collaborative Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collaborate

Grigoreva, G. (2017). Five Rules Businesses Should Follow To Engage Employees In Building Customer Loyalty. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2017/10/26/five-rules-businesses-should-follow-to-engage-employees-in-building-customer-loyalty/#7efad7697a73

Hall, J. (2014). 11 Simple Ways To Show Your Employees You Care. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhall/2014/03/10/11-simple-ways-to-show-your-employees-you-care/#5ec0cc70450e

Hawthorne, M. (2018). The Purpose of Mission and Vision Statements in Strategic Planning. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/purpose-mission-vision-statements-strategic-planning-13161.html