The Use of Public Narrative as Way to Facilitate Team Formation in Leadership Development and Community Organizing

Abstract

Public narrative is a leadership practice being learned and practiced across different contexts worldwide. This article delves into the utilization of public narrative for team formation within the realms of leadership and community organizing. We delve deeper into the case of We the People Michigan, an organization engaged in community organizing, and its pivotal role in convening the Drive Michigan Forward coalition through the lens of public narrative. Our findings highlight the crucial role of public narrative in enhancing two critical aspects of team formation and effective group collaboration. Firstly, the act of sharing personal narratives serves as a means to foster mutual understanding and establish a shared foundation. Secondly, it facilitates a shift from the specific needs of individual organizations towards a focus on the urgent challenges facing their constituencies, particularly the undocumented migrant population in Michigan.