STORYTELLING
LEADERSHIP
STORYTELLING
LEADERSHIP
WATCH the 56 short videos - from why you should master the skill, to what stories you should tell.
STUDY the worked examples, so you understand how the final narratives were arrived at.
PRACTICE the story building process until it becomes subconscious and automatic.
WHY SHOULD A LEADER USE STORYTELLING?
That’s probably the big question, right? Why go through the effort of creating a story?
Well, for me, a leader’s job is to get people to believe in what a company stands for… and for them to want to be involved, whether that’s an employee contributing their effort, or a customer their money.
But believing in something isn’t a mechanical process, it doesn’t just happen up here, it also needs to happen in here… we believe in something because it triggers an emotional reaction in us, and the best way to get that reaction – in my opinion - is to tell a relevant, engaging and meaningful story.
ANY PRESENTATION TIPS WHEN I TELL A STORY?
Well, I think the answer is in your question. Presentation contains the word ‘present’ and that’s how you should think about a presentation – that you’re giving your audience a present, something that’s going to benefit them.
Of course, your little, primal brain and your body don’t know that, so they’ll need a few minutes to realise the situation isn’t fatal. And that, unfortunately, never goes away, but you do learn to live with it.
If you’re handing a loved one a birthday present, how do you do it? You’re probably smiling and happy and ‘loose’… it should be the same when you present, you’re giving the audience something of high value. There’s nothing to be nervous about.
Of course, your little, primal brain and your body don’t know that, so they’ll need a few minutes to realise the situation isn’t fatal. And that, unfortunately, never goes away, but you do learn to live with it.
ARE THERE ANY TIMES WERE I SHOULDN’T USE A STORY?
… not really. Obviously you need to be careful with redundancies, or other situations where the audience is going to perceive themselves as ‘losing.’ If you go off into a long story, they’re only thinking about what just happened to them.
But think of a funeral. The part that most people appreciate and remember, is the eulogy. Where someone stands up and tells a story about the departed… a story that makes you ‘feel,’ often makes you laugh.
I mean, ultimately, we are storytelling animals, so – as long as it’s appropriate and tasteful – I can’t really think of a time where a story wouldn’t help an audience process the message.
HOW DOES TELLING STORIES HELP A LEADER?
Well, success is rarely a short term game, it tends to take a lot of hard work over a long period. So, a leader needs to ensure consistent and prolonged effort from their whole team to get the job done.
That means the goal and the plan has to stay in focus for a lot of people for a long time.
That means the goal and the plan has to stay in focus for a lot of people for a long time.
Now, information doesn’t tend to stay with us for long, especially if we only hear it once. So, an easy to remember, easy to pass on story with a clear message at its centre, has more chance of being recalled and re-told, thereby bringing the goal and plan back into focus for everybody.
Thank you!