The downside of the power of story? Old, inaccurate stories stick too—unless we replace them with something better.
In a recent episode of his Revisionist History podcast, Malcolm Gladwell tells the story of Berrien County, Michigan, where officials made a surprising decision: they stopped using sirens on most ambulance calls. The data was clear—sirens were causing accidents, not preventing them.
But the public reaction was swift and negative. People believed ambulances were suddenly slower, less responsive, even though response times hadn’t changed. No siren, in their minds, meant no urgency. The county’s ambulance director eventually held a press conference to explain the move, and the backlash faded. But it raised a bigger question: why do we so strongly associate the sound of sirens with safety?
That belief, it turns out, is rooted more in story than in science. The 1970s TV show Emergency! helped turn the wail of an ambulance siren into a symbol of rescue and heroism (sirens are literally the show’s theme song). The siren became part of the story we tell ourselves about help being on the way—at the very time when modern paramedics were emerging. In fact, during Emergency!’s run, 46 states approved paramedic programs.
Today, we know sirens aren’t always the safest choice. But removing them isn’t just a policy change—it’s an attempt to rewrite a story that’s been with us for decades. And those are the hardest stories to change.
So, how do you reverse or revise an existing narrative? How do you replace an existing story?
Changing a long-held story is one of the hardest things a brand, a leader, or any communicator can do. Take the belief that loud ambulance sirens mean safety. It feels like common sense. But what if that story isn’t true?
To shift a story, start with my three principles of brand storytelling—context, contrast, and call to action.
- Context — This story is for the public and responders who value speed and safety.
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Contrast — We think sirens help but they often cause accidents without improving response times. What if quieter is actually safer? This is the new idea.
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Call to Action — Shift the story: Quieter doesn’t mean slower. It means smarter. That’s the new truth.
Both leaders and brands can use this approach to challenge and replace existing narratives. For example …
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Mary Barra reshaped GM’s story by shifting the focus from a legacy automaker to a forward-thinking mobility company. She addressed the brand’s troubled past head-on—bankruptcy, bureaucracy—and contrasted it with a bold new vision: “zero crashes, zero emissions, zero congestion.” This repositioned GM as a leader in electric and autonomous vehicles. Her call to action was clear—drive innovation, act with integrity, and build a safer, more sustainable future.
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Domino’s successfully replaced a negative brand narrative by embracing transparency and using story to lead its turnaround. Faced with widespread criticism about its pizza quality, the company acknowledged the problem head-on, contrasting its old reputation with a bold new commitment to change—new recipes, better ingredients, and honest communication. Their call to action was clear: give us another chance. By owning their flaws and inviting customers into the improvement process, Domino’s shifted from a punchline to a comeback story—one rooted in transparency, action, and trust.
Replacing a story takes intention. Whether you’re building a brand or leading others, remember: people don’t just need new facts—they need a better story to believe.
Use This Story Strategy in Your Work
- Why replace a story? People act on the stories they believe—even if they’re outdated or wrong. Replacing a story can shift perception and build trust.
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When to replace one. Use this when you’re battling a myth, stigma, or stale narrative that’s holding your brand—or audience—back.
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How to do it. Name the old belief. Introduce a new idea that creates tension (what if that wasn’t true?). Use contrast to show the shift, and end with a clear, actionable new truth.
Next time you need to shift how people think or act, don’t argue—replace the story with something better.
A version of this first appeared in Story Strategies—my monthly email newsletter designed to help you connect with your audience through the power of story. Get the next issue delivered to your inbox.
