Digital Mythology
Welcome to the Digital Mythology Podcast, hosted by Declan Goodman. This podcast explores the powerful intersection of ancient mythology and modern digital transformation. With over two decades of experience in IT, Declan is on a mission to fill a crucial gap in the tech world—how to effectively tell the digital transformation story to non-technical stakeholders.
Every organization invests heavily in technology, but the true challenge lies in winning the hearts and minds of those who are crucial to the success of these initiatives. Through storytelling, metaphors, and emotional connection, Declan demonstrates how ancient myths and belief systems can be leveraged to simplify complex digital concepts and drive business success.
In each episode, Declan introduces his unique storytelling framework, built on three pillars:
- Xin (Heart-Mind) – How to connect emotionally and intellectually with stakeholders.
- Metaphor – Using simple, relatable comparisons to explain complex tech concepts.
- Catalyst – Sparking passion and action within your organization to push digital projects forward.
Through guest interviews, practical tips, and personal anecdotes, Declan helps you craft a compelling narrative around your digital transformation journey. Whether you're a tech leader, a business strategist, or simply curious about how stories shape the world of digital innovation, this podcast provides insights to help you succeed.
Join Declan as he helps you bridge the gap between technology and humanity, making your digital transformation not just a technical upgrade, but a story that resonates and inspires action.
Key Topics:
- Storytelling in digital transformation
- Engaging non-technical stakeholders
- Metaphors and emotional connections in IT
- Creating business buy-in for tech initiatives
- Lessons from ancient mythology for modern tech leaders
Tune in and discover how to turn your digital projects into compelling stories that captivate, engage, and inspire!
Digital Mythology
Episode 2 - Digital Mythology Podcast - Digital Mythology: The Heart-Mind Connection: Unlocking Stakeholder Buy-In with Xin
Episode Synopsis:
In this episode of The Digital Mythology Podcast, host Declan Goodman introduces the concept of Xin (心)—a Chinese term meaning the heart-mind connection—and explains its vital role in digital transformation storytelling. Declan emphasizes that while technical jargon and logical reasoning are essential, true stakeholder engagement comes from crafting narratives that resonate emotionally. He demonstrates how reframing corporate and tech-centric language using more heartfelt, intuitive storytelling can drive deeper connections, foster stakeholder buy-in, and lead to more successful digital initiatives.
Declan also shares practical examples of how to shift from purely analytical language to more felt, emotionally engaging narratives—transforming cold, technical terms like "remediating technical debt" into "restoring integrity and addressing past neglect". He invites listeners to contribute their own examples of Xin-based storytelling for common digital transformation challenges.
Episode Breakdown:
[00:00] – Introduction to The Digital Mythology Podcast
- Declan welcomes listeners and shares his excitement about launching the podcast.
- The podcast’s mission: using mythology and storytelling techniques to improve digital transformation communication.
[01:30] – The Power of Storytelling in Digital Transformation
- Digital transformation is often complex, technical, and difficult to communicate effectively.
- Many projects fail due to a lack of emotional buy-in from stakeholders.
[03:00] – What is Xin?
- Definition: A Chinese term meaning heart-mind connection.
- Xin is where emotion meets cognition—essential for effective storytelling.
- Inspired by Alan Watts and Eastern philosophy.
[05:00] – Why Xin Matters in Digital Transformation
- Digital transformation efforts often rely too much on logic and data, neglecting emotional engagement.
- Stakeholders respond better when they feel connected to a project’s purpose.
- Xin helps bridge the gap between analytics-driven professionals and human-centered decision-making.
[07:00] – Practical Examples of Xin Storytelling
- Example 1: Instead of “remediating technical debt,” say “restoring integrity and addressing past neglect.”
- Example 2: Instead of “increasing separation efficiency,” say “harmonizing workflows.”
- Example 3: Instead of “enhancing data-driven decisions,” say “balancing insights with intuition.”
[10:00] – How to Use Xin to Improve Communication
- Adjust storytelling to make technical concepts more relatable.
- Use metaphors and emotional framing to engage stakeholders.
- Appeal to intuition as well as logic in decision-making.
[11:30] – Call to Action
- Declan invites listeners to share their own examples of Xin-based storytelling.
- Encourages audience participation to refine how digital transformation is communicated.
As you embark on your digital transformation journey, remember that success isn't just about the tools or technology—it's about how well you can tell your story. By leveraging the timeless power of mythology, storytelling, and emotional connection, you can engage stakeholders, win buy-in, and inspire action. The Digital Mythology Podcast is here to help you bridge the gap between complex tech and human understanding, transforming your digital efforts into a narrative that truly resonates.
Join host Declan Goodman as he guides you through this journey, one story at a time.