"Unless..."

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." — The Lorax

I began today's Values Alignment Workshop with the Kootenay Library Federation wearing a bright yellow mustache and introducing everyone to one of my favourite leadership teachers...

The Lorax.

There were smiles. A few puzzled looks. Maybe even a little uncertainty.

Perfect.

Because, before we ask people to think differently, collaborate deeply, or share what truly matters, we first have to create a space where they feel safe enough to do so.

Stories create that space.

The Lorax wasn't just a fun icebreaker—it was an invitation. An invitation to think about purpose, stewardship, and what it means to care enough to act.

That simple word—unless—became the foundation for our day.

Unless someone cares...Unless someone speaks up...Unless someone chooses to lead...Nothing changes.

From there, I asked the participants to tell me a story.

A story about a moment when they felt proud. A story about a time they knew they made a difference. A story that reminded them why they do the work they do.

Because values don't live in mission statements, they live in stories. And change cannot happen without being centered in your people.

As people shared, something remarkable happened. The room shifted from polite conversation to genuine connection. The stories surfaced what mattered most—not because we searched for the "right" values or answers, but because they naturally revealled themselves through their lived experiences.

That's the beauty of storytelling, They lower our defenses, build trust, and help us understand one another beyond our roles and job titles. They remind us that every person carries experiences worth listening to and wisdom worth sharing.

Only then did we begin talking about purpose-driven planning.

Not planning for planning's sake.

Planning that aligns people with purpose.

Planning rooted in values.

Planning that reflects who we are, what we believe, and how we want to show up together.

Too often organizations begin with strategic priorities and hope people will follow.

I believe we need to start somewhere else.

Start with stories.

Discover the values already present.

Create shared meaning.

Then build a future that people genuinely want to be part of.

At Lodgepole Leadership Consulting, this is the work I love most. Creating the conditions where people feel safe enough to be curious, courageous enough to be honest, and connected enough to imagine what's possible together.

Because culture eats strategy for breakfast. It isn't just about deciding where we're going, it's about remembering why we care enough to go there.

Thank you to the Kootenay Library Federation for inviting me into your story today. Thank you for your openness, your curiosity, and your willingness to explore what becomes possible when values, purpose, and storytelling come together.

After all...

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - The Lorax