Why is understanding story so important?
Most people believe that stories live in the pages of books, but the most important stories in the world are hidden. They live inside us. They are created through the meaning we make of our experiences. Day by day. Moment by moment.
The stories we hold are our lens on the world. They frame what we see and who we can be as a result. They determine our agency -- our ability to take action and make impact.
Whether you see possibilities or problems, competition or potential colleagues depends on your story. Most people aren't even aware their story is in the driver's seat and they are being taken for a ride, all the while wishing desperately to go down a different road.
This happens both for individuals and systemically.
Here's the thing: We live in a story and that means we can change it.
Changing your personal story is the first step towards living the future you want. When you claim your story, you learn to trust yourself and your impact expands. You shine brighter and the world will beat a path to your door.
When we change the stories we live in collectively, at work and in the spheres we are part of -- when they are more positive and generative -- life gets better for everyone. Work becomes more fulfilling, community becomes more connected and everyone benefits.
The power of transformation lies in the stories we choose to activate. In life, at work, in society: It's time to tell a better story.
Story is all about agency -- your ability to take action. Have a listen...
The aspects of great storymaking
Telling a better story is about more than technique. If you want to lead with story, you need more than a simple list of elements. SOAR works with five core aspects to bring story to life within individuals and systems.
Together these aspects form a potent strategy. When you work with your own stories, you build personal and interpersonal capacity. When we work with stories together -- as leaders in work and life -- we increase our capacity for collective wise action.
Whatever the change you're seeking, your story -- and how you host it into life -- is the key.
What is Story Activism?
Hosting brave & transformative spaces
GET THE BOOK
Longing for a larger, more authentic life? Let 365 ALIVE! be your guide.
What's the most important story in the world? It's the one you tell yourself.
Click for more information on the book & free downloads.
More about 365 ALIVE!
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
Find the spark to become your own inner changemaker
THE STORY DOJO is a vibrant online community dedicated to supporting you to find your compelling story and set it free.
This is NOT your ordinary storytelling group. Take the 365 ALIVE! journey and see your transformation unfold.
More about THE STORY DOJO
Isn't it time to bring a new Story to life?
New dates added each month
Thirsty for answers?
Play a Flow Game!
Longing for more but don't know how to get there? Join a Flow Game to get joyfully & playfully unstuck in only 2.5 hours. Personalised coaching & targeted wisdom in an intimate small group setting.
CONSIDER THIS: Getting yourself to where you want to be in your life is not about trying harder to get the right answers. It's about playfully asking the right question and receiving the wisdom that's already waiting for you.
Wait, what? Could it be that easy?
Have you ever thought to yourself that if you only had the right answer, then all of life would fall into place?
What if it is all about about asking the right questions and bringing a sense of playful ease to what you discover as a result?
The intimate setting of a Flow Game helps you find the wisdom to take on your life with confidence, courage and energy.
You'll get personal, focused coaching and the wisdom of a small group of up to 8 other players.
A Flow Game helps you find the wisdom to take on your life with confidence, courage and energy.
It's the best 2.5 hours you could invest in yourself!
Online
Onsite & Online
Become a FLOW GAME Host
The Flow Game is a playful way to take action on what really matters.
It is a combination of stimulating questions, wise coaching and deep reflection. Questions become the the entrée into a fun and easy tool that creates wise council for burning issues.
All over the world, Flow Game hosts are using the game in new and inspiring ways -- with individuals, with teams, in organisations and communities.
In what fresh and new ways could the Flow Game help uplift and support your work and life?
Flow Game Host trainings are coming up both onsite and online:
- 18 - 20 October in Denmark
- 9, 10 & 30 November online
- 24 - 26 January in Japan
- 11 - 13 April in Berlin
Find out more about how you can join us...
Is now your time to become a Flow Game Host?
Oct - Dec Series
The Art of Powerful Questions
The Art of Powerful Questions series kicks off in October! Join us for a immediately applicable one day workshop in person and online.
No matter what kind of leader you are, or if you engage in social or environmental changes as an activist, team leader, coach, or change maker, finding, crafting and sharpening a powerful question is a key leadership and life skill.
Simply offering a question already sets something in motion – it is the simplest intervention you can make into any system. A powerful question is a doorway into a different perspective, even a new reality.
We will take a very hands on look at how to find and work with questions that matter to you. You'll take away both new insight and ways to work practically with the art of questions. And you'll get some focused insight into your own question and your next action steps.
Gain a powerful, practical skill that could make all the difference!
This workshop is bracketed by an AoH practice gathering and a Flow Game Host gathering in many locations. Check the list to see what is nearest you.
In-person & Online
Stay tuned for more dates coming up
Download your free chapter!
Wondering how story can impact democracy and governance?
I'm Mary Alice & I'm a Story Activist
I've been travelling the world and going in and out of organizations, systems, communities and cultures for decades. In working with both individuals and groups, I realized STORY is the secret superpower of humanity. The stories we tell are creating the world we're living in. Every moment. Every day. Story by story.
YOUR STORY IS YOUR FOUNDATION & YOUR KEY TO THE FUTURE -- the roadmap for enabling your purpose in the world.
Your story acts as a beacon lighting the way. What most people don't realize is that you aren't stuck with the current situation -- you can make the choice to activate a better story.
I guide people longing to live a larger and more authentic life to uncover and craft the story that compels them to live that life. And I work with groups to find the stories that will bring their vision and potential into focus and action.
JUST FINDING YOUR STORY IS NOT ENOUGH, YOU NEED TO BRING IT TO LIFE -- especially if the story involves others.
Taking action to live your own story -- and working with others to help a new story take root in the world -- is vital. And there are so many stories that need changing now! I'm a great storyteller, but I'm even better at coaching people to hone the capacity to activate and empower stories to life.
How you take action, especially with others, matters. And with a story and skill, anyone can make change in themselves and in this world!
My book, my story community, the programs I offer and how I work as a Story Activist are the ways I'm making my contribution to grow our individual and collective futures.
I just love working with groups! Here's Brian Tarallo's harvest of my workshop "Change Your Story, Change the World" at the Power of Visuals Week-a-thon. CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO EXPAND IT
"I turned to Mary Alice for support in a critical time in my work to successfully navigate a difficult merger and rebuild the team. I consider the coaching and support key factors in the success of this project. Her warm and wise presence by my side empowered me and impacted the entire organization with lasting results."
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Nora Ganescu
Consultant & coach, Slovakia
"Mary Alice has been a guide on our journey of service transformation in different ways over seven years. She brings crisp clarity, sharp focus, deep wisdom and a collection of stories that create space for potent conversations and insights."
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Penny Hamilton
Fromer Strategic Partnerships Manager, Uniting Care, Queensland, Australia
"Mary Alice has the sort of grounded presence that can hold a group of any size. I experienced her leading one of the best conferences I've attended. Many people are competent and skilled. Mary Alice has that extra spark that makes her truly inspirational."
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David Sibbet
Founder, The Grove Consultants International, USA