Dreaming of being an inspiring storyteller who always knows the right time to share a tale? The secret is in the signals. We share five cues that tell you it’s time to make an impact, to instruct and even to reassure through stories.
Stories have shaped people for generations. They’re a powerful communication tool among top leaders. Great stories don’t have to be epic. Short, compelling tales have helped many leaders to change opinions, drive actions and stir emotions over the years.
Who doesn’t want that same effect when they speak? But, what if you struggle to incorporate stories into your communications?
What you need are cues—signals of the perfect time to tell a tale. Here are five ideal opportunities to tell a simple yet engaging story:
You need to reassure
Need to display why you’re the best choice without showing off? Share a satisfied customer’s experience. Stick to actual events and people, and keep it brief. You don’t want the tale to work against you by making it long-winded.
You need to inspire
Got a vital point to make? Don’t just say it, show it. Storytelling is a fantastic tool for stirring emotion in a way charts and graphs can’t. So, use detail, dialogue and character struggle to make a powerful impact.
You need to include
Most people are either visual learners, auditory learners or learners who acquire knowledge through experience. Storytelling appeals to all types of learners. Narratives put people in a scene that combines sights, sounds and events. Tell a story if you want everyone in the audience to take away something meaningful.
You need to instruct
Why is it easy to retell the newest twist from your favourite TV series, yet tough to recall the latest sales figures? Well, we retain information better when it’s told in a story. So, don’t shy away from stories that teach. Rather than enumerating instructions on a new process, talk about how teams have used it successfully. Explain methods without flow charts or corny acronyms—that’s the purpose of handouts.
You need to illustrate
Some concepts are difficult to put into words. Use a story to represent new or complex ideas. It creates a more precise picture and makes thoughts tangible and relatable.
Never miss the chance to tell a well-timed story to great effect. Keep your eyes and ears open for ideal opportunities to assure, inspire, include, instruct and illustrate.
About Victoria
Victoria believes that great communication has the power to change the world. She's passionate about helping organisations to lift their profiles, inspire action and achieve remarkable results by crafting and delivering their stories and messages in a clear, compelling and persuasive way. If you've got a question about how to produce high-quality communication plans or content, you can contact Victoria here or connect with her on LinkedIn.