Chief Change Officer Podcast: From Buzzwords to Real Words – Chris Hare on Mastering Atomic Storytelling (Part Two)

Release Date: January 30, 2025
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Chris Hare, Strategic Narrative Advisor and Coach

Introduction

In the second installment of the three-part series on mastering atomic storytelling, Vince Chan interviews Chris Hare, a strategic narrative advisor renowned for his work with industry giants like Amazon and Microsoft. Building upon the foundational discussions from Part One, this episode delves into the profound impact of storytelling on personal transformation and self-awareness.

Storytelling for Personal Transformation

Vince Chan (02:12):
"At Chief Change Officer, we harness change as a superpower. This power is fueled by role models who candidly and generously share their human intelligence."

Chris introduces the concept of personal narratives, likening them to cassette tapes that continuously play in one's mind, shaping perceptions of the past, present, and future through stories.

Chris Hare (06:35):
"I find it helpful and more visceral to think about narrative and our personal narratives as a cassette tape. A tape that's playing in our head. We're constantly writing and rewriting that and adjusting that this is the future I'm creating, or this is what's happening in the present, or this is what happened in the past."

He emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling, sharing examples of CEOs who transformed their narratives to align more closely with their true selves, thereby enhancing their professional and personal lives.

Chris Hare (09:15):
"I have this one CEO that I work with... after our work together, his narrative is now authentic at the core of who he is that came out of his yoga practice, but it can now be used and lensed across each of those different audiences."

Chris Hare's Personal Journey

The conversation takes a poignant turn as Chris shares his most challenging personal story, highlighting the profound effects of negative internal narratives.

Chris Hare (20:17):
"In 2015, when I worked at Amazon, my mental health was in a really bad place and I nearly took my life... My narrative internally became not 'I'm stuck.' It became, 'I'm going to die.'"

This revelation underscores the high stakes involved in narrative synthesis, illustrating how detrimental internal stories can impact mental health and overall well-being.

Transforming the Narrative

Vince prompts Chris to discuss how he overcame his dark narrative, transitioning to a more empowering and positive story.

Chris Hare (23:45):
"In 2020, my marriage almost ended. To get through that, I had to completely rewrite my narrative and shift from blaming others to taking responsibility and viewing a different future."

Chris credits his transformation to adopting new inputs, such as taking up fly fishing, which fostered creativity and a connection with nature, thereby reshaping his internal narrative.

Chris Hare (25:19):
"I started fly fishing. That put me in the energy of the river... it was a part of changing those inputs so that I could shift not only the narrative but the outcomes of that narrative."

The Power of Storytelling

The discussion highlights the transformative power of storytelling, not just for businesses but also for individuals navigating personal challenges.

Chris Hare (28:42):
"When things were at my worst... Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, gave me a hug. It was like healing running through my body. That's the power of storytelling—when we tell our stories, it changes us."

Chris recounts a serendipitous meeting with Eddie Vedder, illustrating how shared stories can create profound personal healing and connection.

Best Story Encountered

Chris shares what he considers the best story he has ever encountered, intertwining it with his own journey of healing and transformation.

Chris Hare (28:42):
"Eddie Vedder told me that 'Alive' was originally about his troubled relationship with his father. Hearing my own story echoed in his words, and then meeting him in person, was a full-circle moment for my healing."

This encounter exemplifies how authentic storytelling can bridge gaps, foster understanding, and facilitate personal growth.

Tools for Crafting Your Story

Towards the end of the episode, Chris introduces practical tools to help listeners craft and shape their own narratives.

Chris Hare (37:31):
"There's the 'movie theater' exercise where you visualize your life as a movie, with each scene representing different moments and experiences. This helps in identifying patterns and shaping your future narrative."

He offers to share worksheets and techniques, encouraging listeners to actively engage in narrative reshaping to achieve personal and professional transformation.

Conclusion

Vince Chan wraps up the episode by previewing Part Three, where Chris will delve deeper into the tools and exercises for developing personal narratives. He emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling in driving change and encourages listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and engage with the podcast on various platforms.

Vince Chan (38:11):
"Authentic stories resonate deeply because they reflect the full spectrum of life, not just the highlights. If you’re feeling stuck, consider crafting a story that truly resonates with who you are."

Notable Quotes

• Chris Hare (06:35):
  "Our personal narratives are cassette tapes playing in our heads, shaping our perception of past, present, and future through stories."

• Chris Hare (20:17):
  "The worst story I've ever heard was my own internal narrative of 'I'm stuck' turning into 'I'm going to die,' which nearly led me to take my life."

• Chris Hare (28:42):
  "The power of storytelling is that when we tell our stories, it not only changes our companies or the world, but it also changes us."

• Vince Chan (28:06):
  "The quality of the output is directly tied to the quality of what you put in. The better the input, the more authentic and accurate the outcome."

Takeaways

• Narrative as a Tool for Transformation: Personal storytelling is a powerful mechanism for individual growth and overcoming challenges.

• Authenticity is Key: Crafting an authentic narrative that aligns with one's true self fosters both personal and professional success.

• Practical Exercises: Techniques like the 'movie theater' exercise can aid in visualizing and reshaping personal narratives.

• Power of Shared Stories: Sharing and connecting through authentic stories can lead to profound personal healing and mutual understanding.

Join Us Next Time:
Tune in to Part Three of this series to explore actionable tools and exercises for developing your own transformative stories with Chris Hare.

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This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and personal stories shared by Chris Hare. For a deeper dive, listening to the full episode is highly recommended.