Shape your Strategy Story
Work with us to develop and hone a strategy story that communicates who you are and your vision for change, and that helps guide your steps in a fast-changing world.
In today’s rapidly-changing world most strategies are irrelevant as soon as they are written, but a strategy story enables you to remain flexible and responsive while acting with clarity and purpose. A strategy story is one that tells who you are, conveys your core values, and states your ultimate goals. Wingseed can help you develop a strategy story that both inspires, and helps you make daily decisions in a fast-changing context.
This approach came to life in our work with Kuza Trust in Kenya, an organization supporting people who use drugs and advocating for better drug policies. Kuza Trust Executive Director Chris Abuor said:
“Brett’s approach, rooted deeply in the Strategy as a Story concept, was truly remarkable. He demonstrated an exceptional ability to understand and simplify complex ideas, turning them into a coherent and captivating narrative right from the outset. Our strategic plan isn’t just a document; it’s a compelling narrative that captures the essence of our mission.”
Craft a Powerful Advocacy Narrative
Learn to tell an advocacy story that helps unite your audience behind your vision, gets them to understand the barriers standing in the way, and what they can do to help overcome them.
Through coaching in small groups or one-on-one, you will learn to tell a powerful personal story of purpose that connects with your audience, and moves them to action.
For example, we worked with the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Global Innovators Group to coach their West Africa Impact Fellows in storytelling. Four of the Fellows told their stories at the Next Generation Africa event in Accra, Ghana.
The full meeting video is here – Fenny Taylor-Diggs and Emile Bobozi’s stories begin at 16:33 and Kaata Minah and Tiguem Poudiougo’s stories at 2:32:02.
Sylvia Kalley, Associate Director Fellowships at AGIG, said:
“Brett has played such an instrumental role in the launching of two of our flagship programs, truly elevating the quality of our work. His contributions have gone beyond program delivery—he has cultivated transformational experiences for our Fellows as they refine and share their lived stories. From design and facilitation to evaluation, Brett brings both strategy and heart. His dedication is a key reason for the success of our programs.”
Listen to Connect
Implement listening practices that invite people in, to learn how your stories might connect.
Combining presentation, audio, and interactive exercises, Wingseed’s listening workshops provide an introduction to listening as a key leadership competency: the neglected but vitally important counterpart of speaking and telling. Participants practice listening and experience being listened-to. We examine the power dynamics inherent in listening (who gets to listen, who gets listened to, for what purpose?) and look at its limits and boundaries. We look at listening beyond an individual competency and responsibility, to look at how an organization might set up incentives and systems that create an environment that is conducive to, and rewards better and more inclusive listening.
Our experience ranges from co-facilitating weekend-long workshops in Radical Listening at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, to introductory workshops in listening for faculty and students at NYU’s Gallatin School, to skills-building sessions for management teams, and immersive conference presentations.
Spark Creative Momentum for Impact
Develop the practical skills and creative ideas that move your research off the page into real-world change in policy and practice.
Our workshops and coaching will ensure your research is understood and taken up by the people who need it to bring about change: policymakers, activists, organizational decision-makers.
Here’s how that looked in practice: organizations researching out-of-stock medicines in government clinics across Eastern and Southern Africa were frustrated that despite years of meticulous documentation, governments denied there was a problem. Working with a multi-country team we staged a ‘pill check week’ – live reporting and online tracking of exactly where people were unable to obtain medicines, because they were out of stock. TV news made a big deal of it, and health ministers in Kenya and Uganda for the first time acknowledged the issue and pledged to fix it.
What We Offer
Tailored support to help you grow your storytelling and strategy skills, whether individually, in groups, or across your organisation.
Coaching (one-on-one or in small groups, focused on skills development or preparation for a specific event or opportunity)
Group workshops
Consulting (a more tailored long-term engagement.such as a ‘Story as Strategy’ process for your organisation).