The use of language to define one’s world, or at least one’s experience of the world is at the centre of much of my work. Through speaking, listening, and symbolic representation we make the world. Lately I’ve been asked to help organisations “change their cultures”, by which my clients often mean - ”collaborate, be constructive, accept that things change, take responsibility”

It strikes me that culture can be defined as “the stories we tell about ourselves”. During my childhood, I was told what to expect, what the world is like - by my parents, my friends and neighbours and by the behaviour and talk of those in my community. As I grew I started to tell myself some new things, as well as hang on to some of the old stories. In my professional and personal life I have seen people recover, survive and build a better future by appreciating things around them and make what they want from the future become more vivid and possible though the process of describing and sharing it.

I particularly liked this talk from the film maker Shekhar Kapur. He describes what would seem to some as his somewhat shambolic approach! He also talks about India and how important stories he tells himself, about himself is important to his creative process.

Hope that you enjoy it too

Phil

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