The Power of Story Telling for the New Decade

Happy New Year to you!  I can’t believe we have entered a new decade and that the first month of that decade is almost over.  It seems to me that the older one gets and the busier our lives become, time passes quicker. I sincerely hope this year, and this decade will be a meaningful one for you all. One that will bring joy, growth, wonderful memories and some incredible opportunities along the way.

I also know that for many around my country and the world, this year will have started with a deep sense of loss and devastation.  From the earthquakes in Turkey, the ongoing conflict across the Middle East, the largest cholera outbreak in Yemen, the volcano eruption in New Zealand, the floods and growing humanitarian crisis in South America, and, closer to home, the recent severe bushfires.

Many of us followed with horror the worst bushfires ever experienced in Australia over recent weeks.  Some of you may have even been directly impacted by those fires, and to you, I send my love and support.

What struck me amongst the ravaging flames that we saw on our screens sweep across our country was the steadfast stoicism, resilience, courage and positivity that the victims of the fires and those that were putting their lives at risk fighting them displayed.  They were the stories that gripped me and millions of others around the world, who were watching in horror and sending money, prayers and messages of hope and comfort.

In contrast to this what also struck me was the inability of our Government and our Prime Minister to respond in a manner that was indicative of strong, authentic, values-based leadership.  

What those deeply affected by the fires needed, what our country was desperate for, was a leader that conveyed deep compassion, fostered confidence and built a sense of security and optimism. This was especially needed by those directly impacted and living in fear. Instead, I saw and heard inappropriate and impersonal language and rhetoric, insensitive body language and facial expressions, and awkward interactions with the ‘common folk’ affected by the fires.  This frustrated, upset and even angered me. How could there be such a lack of deep humanity and character displayed by those whose responsibility and privilege it was to lead this country through a time of crisis?  

Instead of introspection, humility and the honour that comes from true connection with and the service of others, what many of our leaders (and the media) chose to do was respond politically rather than humanely. In doing this they trivialized the personal suffering of individuals and communities.

I can’t help thinking that if those same leaders had really taken the time to listen to the personal stories of loss and trauma, and chose to re-tell those stories to the country using the profile and platforms they enjoyed every day, they could have seized the opportunity to rally our country and unify us all.  For me, this was a prime example of a missed opportunity to harness the power of storytelling, to impact immediate and desperately needed change, resilience and comfort.

The importance of the change that can come about through the power of storytelling was profoundly reinforced to me again last week, this time outside of Australia.  

For months I have been on standby and two weeks ago I received confirmation that I was appointed by the New Zealand Royal Commission to work as an expert assisting the victims of the 15 March 2019 Christchurch mosque terror attacks.  My role was to work with the victims and their families to prepare them to tell their stories to the Royal Commission and to also advocate for them by making oral submissions to the Commission. The Commission’s role is to investigate the lead-up, response and aftermath of the attacks, and ascertain how the state agencies could have worked better to have prevented the attack and further attacks, respond more effectively, and better support the victims in their ongoing hell.

Many of us will never forget the day news broke of those horrific attacks - 51 innocent people at prayer gunned down and slaughtered by a single man, a hateful white supremacist.  We will also never forget the immediate (and in contrast to the Australian Prime Minister) authentic, compassionate and resolute response from the New Zealand Prime Minister. We will not forget the iconic images of her wearing a hijab as a mark of respect, and embracing a Muslim widow who was weeping for her murdered husband and child.  We heard Prime Minister Ardern tell human story after story in Parliament and to the world media, of the lives of those brutally killed and injured in the attacks. We felt the sense of collective pride and inspiration at her humane leadership and the collective warmth she fostered in her countrymen and women towards a victimized, broken minority community.  This, I remember thinking, was true leadership, and a leader who understands the power of humanity and storytelling.

What I learned in the last week in Christchurch was that stories must continually be used to not only bring about much-needed change but to sustain that change and the ongoing long term support needed by those that have lost almost everything.  

Despite the incredible political response in New Zealand, the Muslim community of Christchurch that were the target of the terror attacks has continued to suffer indignity, disrespect, discrimination and secondary trauma through the actions of well-meaning but ignorant sections of state agencies.  Evident was a lack of understanding of the truly practical, cultural and emotional needs of a community that had suffered victimisation before, during and after the attacks.

I realised quickly it was my job to help those victims tell their stories in a way that was powerful and would educate, raise awareness and motivate those that they relied upon to provide the real support, healing and sense of safety they needed to even contemplate any sort of life after 15th March. 

It was intense, deeply emotional and incredibly meaningful work.  It was my honour to serve the Muslim community of Christchurch and I did so with a heavy sense of responsibility and gratitude.

I often say that from little ripples big waves grow, and in this first month of a new decade, I have been starkly reminded of how true that is, particularly when it comes to the type of leadership displayed in a crisis and the ability of stories and storytelling to impact deep and sustainable change.

I hope this new year’s message resonates with you and that you will all seize the opportunities in your life this decade to show up, lead and live with courage, humanity and integrity, and to use your own stories and the stories of others to be the change you wish to see in your life, the lives of others and the world around you.