Publication Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

12-2015

Abstract

In this chapter we examine how management gurus through the telling of epiphanic and non-epiphanic stories convey the level of adaptability of their ideas. We argue that for their ideas to leave the auditorium with the audience members they have to present them in ways which convincingly demonstrate that they are potentially pertinent to the variety of working lives of those who attend. Drawing on a Conversation Analytic approach, the chapter shows that in the post-story assessment the gurus use a double structure of humor then seriousness. The contrast between the light-heartedness of the story and the seriousness of the post-story conclusion provides emphasis to the message being delivered as well as the transition from the specifics of the story to the general applicability of the ideas being conveyed. Overall, the chapter argues that these stories provide attention and emphasis to central messages within these talks and thereby supply the underpinning conditions necessary for gurus’ ideas to flow beyond the venue of their talks.

Discipline

Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

Handbook of research on management ideas and panaceas: Adaptation and context

Editor

A. Örtenblad

First Page

223

Last Page

242

ISBN

9781783475599

Identifier

10.4337/9781783475605.00028

Publisher

Edward Elgar

City or Country

Cheltenham

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.4337/9781783475605.00028

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