Storytelling: Communicating from the Heart Performance Consulting Group

Storytelling: Communicating from the Heart

Performance

Consulting

Group

Why Stories?

Stories are how we think

Stories are how we relate

Stories to have in your hip pocket

oWhat the organizations stands foroWhat “we do” storiesoFuture storiesoSuccess storiesoOvercoming barriers storyoCustomer stories

Make your life a story worth telling!

Stories humanize us and help us form connections. In a world where human connections help us accomplish everything, storytelling is the most effective way for us to succeed, whatever we’re trying to accomplish.

Stories at workVarious applications

o Sales meetings and presentations

o Customer serviceoMarket and customer

researcho Forging partnerships and

strategic allianceso Year-end reportso Etc..

Various applications

o Enhancing teamworko Managing projectso Interviewing job

prospectso Strategic planning and

implementing changeo Developing leaders and

engaging employeeso Etc..

Storytelling is the key oLeadership is a process of social

influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal

Influence is the ability to affect a course of action in others

5 Benefits of exceptional storytelling

Benefits of Exceptional Storytelling

Motivate individuals and groups to take

action

Build trust and rapport

Make data and facts sing by becoming applicable, interesting, and relevant

Infuse information with “stickiness” to improve retention.

Transform beliefs and

change minds

Not everything is a story

A Story provides sensory language presented in a way that allows the listener to quickly and comprehensively internalize the narrative, understand it, create meaning from it and form a framework for action.

The structural definition

0A detailed, character based narration of a character’s struggles to overcome barriers to reach an important goal.

Why - why should I care?

How - how will this improve my life?

What - what must I do?

Effective stories answer 3 questions

The elements a story0 The hero0 The enemy0 Major needs of your

character0 Major issues of the story0 The kinds of possible

resolution0 What the major result is0 Lessons you want to

incorporate

Happy times The problem or

conflict Hard times Funny moments The obstacles Victory moment The realization Great parting message

Classic business story structures

SHARESSettingHindranceActionResultsEvaluationSuggested actions

PARLASProblemActionResultLearningApplication Suggested actions

ChARQESContextHindranceActionResults quantifiedEvaluationSuggested actions

CCARLSContextChallengeActionResultLessonSuggested actions

oOvercoming the MonsteroThe QuestoTragedyoRebirthoVoyage and ReturnoRags to Riches

Classic story themes

Overcoming the Monster

A hero is tasked with destroying a monster (not necessarily a literal one).

The Quest

A hero steps forth to perform a task, and usually has friends/allies around to help out

Tragedy

The protagonist wants something so badly that they lose part of themselves in trying to get it. By the end they are no longer themselves

RebirthA main character is almost on the path to tragedy, but something happens that allows them to see themselves from the outside and

so do something about it

Rags to Riches

A main character, through their own efforts (and maybe supernatural help), is able to rise above their station in life and achieve what they

desire.

Voyage and Return

The protagonist finds him or herself in a world where nothing makes sense, with no understanding of who is friend and who is foe. Finally they learn the ropes of the world and can act upon this knowledge.

Stories to have in your hip pocket

oWhat the organizations stands foroWhat “we do” storiesoFuture storiesoSuccess storiesoOvercoming barriers storyoCustomer stories

Make your life a story worth telling!

Crafting your story

1. Determine the theme

0Creativity and innovation0Courage0Leadership0Assertiveness0Teamwork and collaboration0Perseverance0Helpfulness0Others?????

2. Figure out the key message

0What is your goal in telling the story?0What does the story mean to you?0What did you learn or gain from the

experience?0What do you want the audience to believe

after sharing the story?0What do you want the audience to do after

sharing the story?

3. Start the story – Paint the picture

0What’s the setting?0What kind of day was it?0Who is the main character? (Hero, Protagonist)0What ‘s the hero/protagonist doing or feeling?0What other characters are present?0What are the other characters doing?

4. Determine the conflict or problem

0What is the core struggle in the story?0What does the main character want?0What are the complications?0What are the barriers that stand in the main

characters way?0Who is the bad guy in the story? An irritating

person/rule/regulation/organizational value, maybe the status quo or a combination?

Current State (What is)

Transformed State(What Could Be)

The story arc It is the sequence of events

that keep the listener moving along in the story

5. Lay out the story arc

When thinking about the story arc…

1. What is the sequence of events?2. When is the defining moment in the story?3. How are the characters feeling?4. How is the conflict resolved?5. What is the new awareness that the main

character has?

6. Unfold the plot0How do the events flow in the

story?

0What happens first, second, third and so on?

0What steps are taken to bring us to the end?

Grab people’s attention

• What can you do to strengthen the emotional element of the story?

• What tension can you build into the story by waiting to reveal key pieces?

• Does the nature of your story allow for humor?

What unexpected event can you add into the story to add drama and surprise?

Getting your story to POP

Bringing characters to life

Empathy for your charactersDistinguishing features and gesturesSpeaking styles of charactersFears of the charactersGoals and needs of the characters

Sensory imagery and contrast

oWhat additional visual scenes can you paint for listeners?

oWhere can you add stark contrasts?oWhere can you add contrast of environmental elements?oWhat irony can you add to further enhance your story?oWhere could you add figure of speech to boost contrast

and enhance imagery? Oxymorons, metaphors and similes,

analogies, and aphorisms

Using humor to lighten the mood0Conceptual – funny words,

phrases and silly ideas that relate to your story

0Physical – how do you use your body, gestures, and facial expressions to invoke humor

0Vocal – pay attention to rhythm, tempo, volume, inflection and timing

7. End the storyThe four main parts

1. The resolution of the conflict

2. The key message of the story

3. The transition to an action statement

4. The action statement

These key questions must align: How is the conflict

resolved? How are characters

changed? What must the listeners

do next? What actions can they take to get the results they desire?

In summary we have…

• The opening scene• Then something happens (the conflict)• Barriers/complications appear• Barriers/complications are overcome• Resolution occurs• New insights gained• The end and parting message is offered

oCharactersoConflictoCure

oChangeoCarryout Message

Remember the 5 C’s