Use Strategic Storytelling to Make Your Message Memorable
Have you ever noticed how much easier is to remember someone’s point when they wrap a story around it? So why do so many leaders stick with dry PowerPoint presentations and yawner “motivational” pep talks when they could use strategic storytelling to make their message more meaningful?
How could you better use stories to galvanize your team toward stronger results? Do you know how to tell a great story?
This is the S.T.O.R.I.E.S. approach we share in our strategic storytelling workshops.
The next time you’re looking to use a story as part of your leadership communications, use this as a story framework as a guide.
The STORIES Approach to Telling a Great Story
S- Setting
- Where were you?
- Who was there?
- Who’s telling the story?
T- Trouble
- What happened?
- How can you describe the tension in a memorable way?
O- Other
- Who is the sage that intervenes?
R- Response
- What did our hero do?
I- Interest
- What makes this interesting?
E- Evaluation
- What did they learn?
S- So what
- What does that mean for us?
This leadership storytelling method works wonders to improve executive communication, and to enhance your 5×5 leadership communication plan. I see a HUGE improvement in the quality of participants’ stories after just a few hours in one of our strategic leadership programs. Strategic storytelling also has a significant team-building effect when teams go through this together– creating lasting bonds as teams reveal themselves in their stories.
Bonus: How to Tell a Strategic Story (Without Getting Laughed Out of the Room)
A great story brings the audience in. Most importantly, it bubbles up a myriad of emotions that changes your energy and the way you think.
Steve, Ahh, yes. The emotional energy of stories is so vital.
Nice job Karin!
I love your presentation!
Lots of details, genuine, good/bad guy angle, overcoming the impossible…all great ingredients for a good story!
It makes them think of their own story…even been in this situation? Thanks so much for sharing…
LaRae, Thanks so much. That means so much coming from a masterstoryteller like you.
As you probably recall, I’ve praised your storytelling more than once and asked for advice on how to be better myself. So thank you for this blog. I clicked the link to read it in the newsletter without any hesitation.
What are your favorite books or videos that talk about being better storytelling? I know about your own storytelling publication here: https://www.td.org/Publications/TD-at-Work/2000/Storytelling
James, You inspired me to share this video. I have a FREE webinar coming up with ATD in September (will share more details as soon as I have them)/