Drive Stories

Drive Stories

What is the Drive Stories story tactic?

Why do you work? For the money, yes. But what really drives you? These stories build a better team culture.

If you want innovation you need inner motivation. Let's face it: change means a lot of hard work for an uncertain reward. Money by itself won't motivate you--or your team-if you feel frustrated, bored or uninspired. So, find stories that show a different way of working: with autonomy, mastery and purpose.

How to use the Drive Stories story tactic

Explore your team's positive and negative experiences of working with autonomy, mastery and purpose.

  1. Autonomy: a sense that you have control over the way you work. e.g.: the time and place you work, the tools you use, the people you work with or the direction you follow. This can give you "how we work together" stories.

    • Positive: "Here's a moment when I felt I had enough autonomy: ... Here's what happened ... Here's how it felt ..

    • Negative: "Here's a moment when I didn't have enough autonomy: ... Here's what happened ... Here's how it felt ... "

  2. Mastery: a sense that your skills are steadily improving. This can give you "how we grow" stories.

    • Positive: "Here's a moment when I felt I'd mastered the skills I need: ... Here's what happened ... Here's how it felt ... "

    • Negative: "Here's a moment when I didn't have the skills I needed: ... Here's what happened ... Here's how it felt ... "

  3. Purpose: a sense that you are doing worthwhile work, serving a greater good. This can give you "why we do it" stories.

    • Positive: "Here's a moment when I could see how my work contributes to a greater good ... Here's what happened ... Here's how it felt ... "

    • Negative: "Here's a moment when I couldn't see the bigger picture ... Here's what happened ... Here's how it felt ... "

You can develop these experiences into teachable stories by using Cut to the Chase or Five Ts.

Credit: D.Pink, Drive.

You might like these Storyteller Tactics

← Back to Storyteller Tactics

Get Storyteller Tactics®

Drive Stories is one of 54 storytelling recipe cards inside the Storyteller Tactics card deck.

Ditch dull presentations and tell great stories that influence and inspire your team, stakeholders and customers.