Plug-in and enjoy our interview with Ginger Grant, PhD., Managing Partner: Creativity in Business Canada Inc.

How do you infuse ethics and mythology in your work in corporate cultures?

Every person has a story - if not more than one! To carry the intense emotional energy needed to effect change, there is no more powerful tool than story. An ancient art yes - but one that has immense value especially in uncertain socio-economic times. Each of us has lived a hero's journey every time we have done something that stretches us - moves us more towards being comfortable in our own skin. Being who you were always meant to be - however you define it. Most people are not living the lives that they had originally planned. So, can you change the ending of the story you are living? If you are not the hero of your own story, who is?

When you add the journey of an individual to a group of people who are trying to accomplish something of value - whether for a profit organization or an NGO - you have a collection of stories. Then you can add the history of the organization itself and those individuals who shaped it. The hodgepodge of stories and their infinite combinations - make a corporate culture. Is it complicated? Yes, without a doubt. You can tell a lot about an organization by the stories told within it. I utilize the power of story by simply asking what stories are told and then listening intently for the underlying cultural memes or archetypes that are driving the story. It tells me a lot about the teller and the organization.

We know that if any organism stops changing it dies. Corporate cultures are no different. The problem is that people don't change easily - a lot of our behavior is unconscious repetition. I fondly call this repetition 'toilet paper rules'. Which way do you hang toilet paper? Why? What happens when you encounter someone who hangs toilet paper differently? If you have no strong feelings about toilet paper, perhaps it is how you fold socks, or what toothpaste or soap you use. There are countless examples of how we repeat unconscious behavior on a daily basis. Try and change these simple rules you live by - and notice your response. Now think in terms of how many of these unconscious rules are brought into any relationship - whether at work or at play. This is the foundation of change management and why it is so difficult to do. There needs to be a story worth telling and then a story worth following for us to change the way we think and then behave. The stories we tell carry all of our toilet paper rules - the values we live by every day.

Values-Based Leadership? Isn't this an oxymoron?

I hope not!! But I can see where some people might think so. You would assume that leadership is all about values but ... those toilet paper rules keep coming back. A common expression I hear in organizations is that the leaders 'don't walk their talk'. You hear a lot of noise about mission/vision/values in organizations but little authentic practice. Dilbert used to have a mission statement generator - feed in a bunch of words that sound good, and out pops a meaningless mission statement. Many organizations have this type of statement on their walls. But the value-system is not lived. If you make a conscious examination of your values and how you live them everyday - is there a gap? What would your partner or spouse say? In my executive coaching practice, I often ask someone to write their obituary and post it on the fridge at home and let their family read it.

Your partner and/or your kids will let you know if you are not living your own value system. Values are complex systems and form clusters. When you consciously examine your value system against the 'toilet paper rules' that govern your behavior, there may be some interesting surprises! In corporate-speak, we talk about espoused values - what you say you believe and values-in-action - what you actually do. Hopefully, there is no gap!

Who are the popular authors and artists that are teaching us through myth today?

Joseph Campbell and C.G. Jung still speak to me and I return to their works on a regular basis. I look to writers such as William Gibson (Neuromancer, Pattern Recognition) or Douglas Hofsteader (Metamagical Themas, I am a Strange Loop) who push story, myth and metaphor to places that stretch our imagination. Benoit Mandelbrot has come out with a new book on the Misbehavior of Markets and examines our current economic woes through a fractal lens.

I use a lot of poetry in my workshops and seminars and even in the business classroom - again, it stretches the imagination and feeds the soul. When David Whyte writes poetry for the Boeing Corporation to celebrate the Dreamliner, that is a paradigm shift before your eyes. I LOVE Ted.com! What a buffet of ideas to constantly sample - soul food extraordinaire. Myth is alive and well and thriving but in a current context. Just look around you and you will find it.

I sit in a cube from 9 – 5. I'm bored. Why should I care about your presentation?

Hmmmmmm - maybe you shouldn't. Instead you might ask yourself, why are you sitting in a cube? If your soul is starving, what feeds you? And why are you subsisting on a 'cube' diet? Then you might be willing to step into your own hero's journey. Again, if you are not the hero of your own story, who is? If you are not willing to take your own Journey, mine will probably hold no value for you.

Is TV killing myth?

What TV programs are you watching? There are enough choices to either qualify as junk food or a nourishing feast. What feeds you will determine how you use the medium. I find it interesting that there are so many programs now around scientific themes - geeks are becoming sexy. And why not? Is rock music a channel for myth making and exploring?

I think any music is a channel for myth making and exploring symbolic forms and has been since the beginning of time. Music has been used to ritualize experience throughout the ages and I see no reason why it will not continue to do so. What type of music moves you is a personal choice and may change over time. Or, favored rock bands from my younger years age along with me and I still purchase the albums and occasionally, even attend concerts. Looking forward to U2 in late October in Vancouver!

What is the basic honey that we need to "get" the stories and symbols?

I think that depends on where you are in your own journey. I am not trying to dodge the question! Every culture is rich with both story and symbol - it depends on what you consider 'food'.

Can mythology help fuel a global revolution in consciousness?

I believe so, yes. If you consider a mythological system to be a set of core values that are carried over time, mythology has always served the purpose of raising consciousness. Mythologist Joseph Campbell believed that myth fulfills four main functions in society: metaphysical/mystical, cosmological, sociological, and pedagogical. Its metaphysical function is to awaken us to the mystery all around us, what Campbell called the 'ground of being', our spiritual source. Myth's cosmological function is to describe our world and our place in it so that it becomes alive for us and full of meaning. Its sociological function is to pass down those 'toilet paper rules', our ethical codes of conduct that define our cultures.

Finally, myth's pedagogical function is to lead us through the Hero's Journey – our rites of passage from one lifestage to another. I think the best definition of a myth I have heard comes from a child. Children understand myth at a DNA level and then we educate that knowledge out of them! She stated that a myth "might not be true on the outside: but was always true on the inside." Beautiful! It is from that inside place that we wake up.

Do see any connection between the green movement, sustainability and mythology?

Mythology has always incorporated sustainability. Every culture has creation stories that link our behavior with the natural world. I see the current concern about sustainability and the green movement as an extension of the fact we need to create a current global myth. Perhaps the rise in consciousness in these areas is simply mythopoesis at work - human beings need to make meaning.

What are some of the common hesitations and concerns about your work in corporations? How do you get new clients?

Any corporation that only is concerned with short-term profitability and that is not people-focused would not view our work as of value. We work with organizations that have a long-term strategic outlook and truly care about their people. If an organization makes meaning, they will make money. We have a motto that we 'only work with the
willing.' We get new clients by word of mouth. Most of our clients are repeat customers and they take priority over new work.

What are the foundation principles at Creativity in Business Canada Inc?

Our value system centers on creating and developing creativity and that is both an internal and external value. We focus on living our value system rather than naming it.

Is innovation different for people vs. organizations?

Interesting question! I don't think so - we consider innovation to be the development of an idea into something of value. So whether by a person or a group the outcome is the same. Ideas need to be executed!

How do you critique the "creative cycle" at PlanetShifter.com?

There are many ways to construct a creative cycle. The important question to ask is 'does it work for you?'. If it does, then no critique is necessary. People are complex systems and whatever works for a collaborative group will be determined by the group. We don't dictate one methodology - we look to the group itself for the best way forward and then help them articulate it.

Are you a Hero? This would make perfect sense, right?

I believe all of us are the heroes of our own Journey. But it is important to remember that the journey itself is not complete until the Hero returns home to his or her community and delivers the gift or "boon" as Campbell termed it, to the community. The Hero doesn't always live long enough to make the return. I have not as yet delivered my 'boon' but am working on it!

Who are your living and dead Heroes? Why?

Dead but living always in my home - Joseph Campbell and C.G. Jung. They still speak volumes to me and I return to be comforted by their words time and time again. Living? Anyone who has the courage to live their life as a work of art. From that person, I will always learn something of value. For that person, I am a willing student.

In your work, what is initiation? Why isn't initiation the same experience as the Ordeal? See graphic.

Initiation is a rite of passage from one state to another - usually to bring an initiate into a particular community. For example, boy to man, girl to woman. Novice to expert etc. In other words, the community thinks you are ready to move to a new stage in your career or your life.

The Ordeal stage is a series of trials or tests to find out whether you deserve the membership in that community. This is where the rubber meets the road!

Who are your top three politicians? Rock artists? Painters?

I am not a big fan of politicians but am following Obama with great interest. Dedicated U2 fan. I love the work of Meinrad Craighead - example to all of us of how creativity continues throughout life if we only keep our consciousness awake to the source.