🌟 Narrative Hierarchy 🌟

When thinking about the stories we tell, the iceberg model offers a powerful framework. Originally used in systems thinking, it helps us visualize what we experience, while revealing the layers beneath the surface that shape our perceptions.

At the tip of the iceberg, what breaks through the surface is messaging — the dominant beliefs that surround us daily. Think of phrases like “fat is ugly, thin is beautiful,” “women are bossy,” or “boys don’t wear skirts.” These ideas are reinforced by media and ads, establishing the “status quo.”

Beneath that, we have content. If messaging is like commercials, content is the news show between them. It’s information framed in a way that makes it easy to digest, reinforcing the repeatable messages we see in our lives.

Deeper still are the stories. These are real events, rich in perspective and nuance, but often filtered to fit certain expectations, making them less dimensional.

At the very base lies narrative — the underlying structure that shapes everything else. It’s so ingrained, we don’t often question it. Take for instance the narrative “humans are hierarchical” — a belief we rarely challenge because it feels universally true.

When we discuss narrative, we’re seeking to address the core beliefs that shape the stories, content, and messaging we encounter every day.

What’s a message you’re tired of hearing? Can you trace it to a narrative and core belief?

Ari Mostov is a narrative strategist, working with innovators to craft irresistible futures. Learn more www.wellplay.world