Story Telling

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory library, archives, and records section sponsors the monthly series, “JPL stories.” The concept is to provide an informal and experiential environment for both the story teller and the story listeners. This program operates under the belief that stories are an effective way to communicate and understand an organization’s culture and can help employees develop a sense of organizational identity. Stories offer an approach different from the more formal lectures, seminars, and town halls. They offer another way to be a part of the discussion.

The program is kept as flexible as possible and includes a cross section of story tellers form the Jet Propulsion Laboratory community. Stories can take place in the past, present, or future; they can be historical or fictional; and they can be light-hearted or serious. Criteria for selecting story tellers can include recommendations from other story tellers and story listeners, and cold calls to well-known JPL employees (identified through their reputation, their position, or news articles). Attention is made to provide a mix of scientists, engineers, administrators, and managers. The only criterion for story tellers is that their stories be personal. The actual story told is entirely the decision of the story teller.

More formal story telling is supported through NASA’s Academy of Program and Project Leadership. Project success stories highlight dozens of anecdotes from renown leaders and is used as a way to train potential leaders. The masters forums are face-to- face knowledge-sharing meetings that bring together NASA’s best and brightest to talk about their experiences.