Leadership and Storytelling

Leadership is about defining paths, making decisions and clearing things out for your followers. That being said, one of the best ways to make your point is telling stories. I know a lot of people thinks storytelling is difficult, or that they don’t have the skills or knowledge to do so. Let me tell you that there are many different approaches to story telling. Let’s take a look at the approach presented in “The Leadership Training Activity Book”, by Lois B. Hart and Charlotte S. Waismann.

1. Paint the scene: You have to be specific and tell where and when this story ocurred.
2. Identify the Characters or People in the Story. Give them Names!!
3. State their predicament of problem.
4. Clarify the characters’ intentions. What went through their minds as the tried to handle the problem?
5. Describe their Actions. What did each person do? Be specific.
6. Include anything in the story that can be of importance to develop the plot. For example, if your talking about a time when you helped your team through a crisis,  you can refer to the franctic emails you received -an perhaps read a short note.
7. Include a surprise or element of amazement to make the story memorable. For example,  you could show a picture from the before and after of the situation your talking about.
8. Tell how it ended.

And that’s it. If you follow these simple steps and you practice frequently you will master the “art” of storytelling. But what’s most important, you will have a new tool to express your ideas and make your point. 

1. Prepare a story about a time when you were able to achieve something important in your life. Pick one value you want to make stand out. Try to keep it short, but with enough detail to make your point. 

2. Tell your story to someone and ask him/her what did they learn from it. 

3. Practice, practice, practice. And start using stories to express your ideas.