What's the Story? – Organisational Storytelling
When using Story as a tool there are many things you need to think about:
- Why should I use Story?
- What Story should I use?
- When should I this Story?
- How should I use this Story?
What's The Story takes participants on a journey where they discover the answers to these questions.
A) The WHY?
The WHY of Storytelling depends on what you want to achieve.
Do you want to motivate your team? Do you want the board of directors to accept your new proposal? Do you want to win a client over from your competition? Do you want your boss to know that he's being unreasonable with his demands?
You many have one or more of the following desires:
- To inspire and motivate people
- To connect and emotionally engage with people
- To influence people
- To create faith for your vision
- To build and maintain relationships
- To share knowledge and experiences for upskilling
- To resolve mistrust/conflict within teams/clients
Participants discover their WHYs and prioritise them according to their role in the organisation.
Next Step:
Once you know what you want, you can start thinking about WHAT type of Story will best help your purpose.
B) The WHAT?
There are different types of Stories that you can use to help achieve your objective.
You need to consider the WHAT type of Story you need to tell.
For example:
Who Am I Stories – Stories that demonstrate who you are to people and creates that crucial connection
Why Am I Here – Stories that tell people of your intentions up front and creates trust
Vision Stories – Stories that communicate your vision and inspire others
Company Stories – Stories that share knowledge and motivate others
Next Step:
Once you know what type of Story best suits your situation, you can then look at WHEN you should tell your Story.
C) The WHEN?
Everything we do and say tells a Story so we are telling them all the time, either intentionally or unintentionally. It may be a formal Story (presenting to your team) or informal (catching up over coffee in the lunchroom).
The following is just a few examples where Storytelling can be used in an organisation:
- Presentations (around a table or to an auditorium)
- Selling a service and/or product
- Introducing your self/company to a new client
- Focusing a team on the goal and/or to get team buy-in
- Managing team/client relationships
- Company induction programmes
Next Step:
Once you know WHEN you can tell your Story you need to consider HOW you will tell your Story.
D) The HOW?
The HOW of Storytelling is divided into two parts.
1. The structure of the Story
2. The delivery of the Story
1. Story Structure
What's The Story teaches all participants a simple structure that they can use to make a great impact in their Storytelling skills. The 5 C.L.E.A.R Rules of Narrative™ bring participants' natural Storytelling ability to their conscious level that they can in turn use as a checklist for any Story.
2. Story Delivery
What's The Story imparts tools and techniques to maximise all participants' Storytelling ability.
Next Step: Good news! Once you're clear on WHY you're telling a Story, WHAT kind of Story you're telling, WHEN you'll tell it and HOW you'll tell your Story – all you have to do now is PRACTISE it!
Please enquire here if you are interested in What's the Story
Information on Presentation Coaching – how to STAND & DELIVER!