Use the Power of Narrative to
Influence Company Culture

Companies invest a lot of resources into creating their company values. They share these values with employees in an effort to get alignment, but that is not enough to influence behavior. To have an impact on employees, you must demonstrate how it’s done, not just present abstract ideas – or as the saying goes… Show Don’t Tell. There are several key reasons why storytelling is a powerful way to demonstrate company values as they are acted out in the workplace.

Retaining Information
In contrast with being presented with dry facts, researchers find that people presented with information embedded in a narrative are 20 times more likely to remember it. Additionally, the information is remembered more accurately and for a longer period of time. More than a format for presenting information, the emotional content also plays a significant role in forming memories. When employees recall these examples of how company values inform actual behavior, they’re more likely to apply it to their own.

Peer Level, Practical Advice
The popularity of influencers on LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and other social media demonstrates that people are drawn to someone they think of as a peer. They want to hear from someone on their level, someone navigating the same challenges that they do. Realistic stories with visualized outcomes are easier for employees to internalize. By leveraging stories that include employees at all levels of the organization, you will optimize your ability to influence employee behavior.

Perspective
Narrative invites someone to empathize with the journey of another person. In some cases, where this point of view is unfamiliar, it encourages empathy and understanding. In other cases, a person may resonate with the perspective and feel validated by the story. Either way, by sharing stories from various points of view, you are demonstrating to employees that their unique experiences have value and help them connect to your work culture.

At tEQuitable, we include narrative content in our Ombuds platform so that people can feel seen, be validated or gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of others. Additionally, it lets us know what kinds of topics and themes most resonate with employees. We are intentional about our stories demonstrating concrete outcomes that will help an employee build their own personalized action plan. In this way, the story not only elicits empathy but also offers resolution to a challenging work situation.

To maximize the impact of your company values, go beyond definitions and guidelines; collect and create narratives that resonate with your employees. This is one of the most effective ways to influence the day-to-day norms and behaviors of your employees and create better work culture.

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