Storytelling is a great tool for persuasion!
Leadership is, above all, about getting people to change. Storytelling is an increasingly accepted way to achieve management goals. Storytelling was more than one tool; it was atleast a whole array of tools – tools that could help achieve multiple purposes such as sparking people into action, communicating who you are or who your company is, transmitting values, sharing knowledge, taming the grapevine, and leading into the future.
In one sense, telling a story is simply giving an example. It is ‘glaringly obvious, and is something we all know instinctively. A good example may make something easier to understand, and easier to remember”.
An example of good story
One of the workers in a firm asked his manager - “Why do you earn so much than me?” His simple reply - “If you screw badly, you lose your job. If I screw up badly, three thousand people lose their jobs?” The worker got the message, simple but very effective story!
Effective Leadership storytelling is a fine and beautiful art. A well-developed and presented story can cut across age barriers and will hold the interest and reach its listeners. Stories will be remembered long after other orations. Knowing and applying the basics of storytelling will strengthen your stories.
Seven crucial elements of a good leadership story
1. Articulates what the story is all about ... Articulates what the story is not about !
2. Draws on your real past and lessons you've learned from it.
3. Resonates emotionally with your audience because it's relevant to them.
4. Inspires your audience because it's fueled by your passion.
5. Shows the struggle between your goal and the obstacles you faced in pursuing it.
6. Illustrates with a vivid example.
7. Teaches an important lesson.
7 Ways to Improve Your Storytelling
1. Everybody has a story to tell - If you don't have a great story, turn to your volunteers, turn to your coworkers or turn to the people you help.
2. Avoid the "kitchen sink." - Avoid information overload. Instead, Create a snapshot that people will remember.
3.Nice is not enough - You need to find a good story that is unique and something that can create emotion and interest.
4. Don't be too close and don't be too far
5. Share your senses - All five of them. The more you can make the reader feel like he or she is there, the better.
6. Audience, audience, audience - Always keep your audience in mind.
7.Fit into a larger trend or story - You don't have to try to match up with the biggest headline of the week, but try to find some sort of trend.
ref:
"The leader's guide to storytelling" By Stephen Denning
Stew Friedman’s Blog -
http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/friedman/2009/08/how-a-2minute-story-can-help-y.html
7 Ways to Improve Your Storytelling -
http://www.fundraising123.org/article/7-ways-improve-your-storytelling
