Piper Hendricks, Founder & CEO of Stories Change Power dives into how personal narratives can become catalysts for activism and policy reform. She unpacks the importance of listening beyond words to the emotions and lived experiences they convey, and why words, when wielded with intention, are some of our most powerful tools for justice and systemic change. Piper also reveals how storytelling can illuminate the hidden forces of policy—making the invisible not just visible, but relatable.
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On a late-night flight, Piper Hendricks faced an unexpected political conversation with a seatmate that challenged her to stay open and curious. Tired and ready to be off her late-night flight, Piper Hendricks, founder of Stories Change Power, was caught off guard when her seatmate initiated an uncomfortable conversation, dismissing her deeply personal practice of writing letters to herself. As the discussion veered towards controversial topics, including political and social issues, Hendricks chose to engage with curiosity rather than defensiveness.
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Being passionate about an issue isn't enough to create lasting change. Successful advocacy requires strategy. The Nine Rights Framework is a proven approach to developing an effective, empathetic, and trusted advocacy strategy. This strategy informs all that we do, and is covered in depth in our Learning Communities.
What lens are you using to view the issue you want to change? Are you seeing the full context or, as we discuss in our cohorts, will "hippos eat your tomatoes?".
What story are you telling? What words are you using to tell it? Does your language resonate with those who hear it? Will the message reach hearts and minds? Is it backed up by data and research? Will it heal our current divides instead of playing into them, or worse, deepening them?
Who is trusted and credible? Are they persuasive? Should your organization be in the lead or should you be amplifying someone else's voice?
Who has the power to solve the challenge you’ve identified? What are their priorities? To whom will they listen? Are you clear about to whom you are communicating and why?
Where can you cut through the noise and reach those who can take action?
When does your actor need to act, and when do you need to reach them to ensure they do?
Is everyone singing their part from the same choir sheet? Or are you working across silos? When it comes to communications, are you coordinating every step of the way?
When there are 50 possibilities but only time, capacity, and funding for 5, are you selecting the right 5? Are you, whether a new professional or seasoned leader, finding joy in making a difference along your professional journey?
Are you measuring what really matters? Are you collecting data, and what does it tell you? What should you do as a result? How have your team’s work and your funder’s investments translated into positive change?