Excerpt from Katha: Stories build teams and create a shared sense of purpose

Mallika is the CEO of a large private company that builds manufacturing equipment in a variety of sectors. One of the most pressing things on her mind is developing the next generation of leaders: people who can translate the company's vision and values into tangible results. To this end, the HR team has identified 40 of the top performers below 40 years of age. The '40 under 40' initiative is Mallika's baby, her succession plan. 

The HR team has organised a retreat in Coonoor. Mallika speaks to the 40 middle managers over the course of two days. But instead of talking the company's future strategies, sales targets and work culture, Mallika tells them stories about company's history. She talks about her father, who founded the company, and about how she grew up running around in its factories.

She tells them about the struggles that her parents went through, the sacrifices they made in order to grow the company. She talks about standing at the top of the staircase and listening to her father plead with investors when money was short. She tells them about how afraid she felt when taking over the company from her father - that she wouldn't measure up, that she would mess things up and make all her father's hard work come to naught.

Through personal anecdotes about the company's history and her own feelings, Mallika makes the 40 top performers feel as if they are part of her family and her journey. At the end of the two days, the 40 future leaders have a very real sense of their CEO and the company, all of which was accomplished without saying a word about deliverables or mission.

There are many ways to build teams. Mallika's method is subtle but powerful. She gives context and information without hitting people over the head with facts and data and mission statements.

By exposing her struggles, by revealing her vulnerabilities, she creates buy-in.

Best of all, her stories create future storytellers-future ambassadors of the firm's culture and history. When the '40 under 40' go back to their offices, they repeat the stories that Mallika has told them, creating a ripple effect.

Stories connect human beings. They bring about a sense of community and a shared purpose. They make employees feel part of a larger whole.

(See interview: A Katha for corporations from a master story teller)