Storytelling: Communicating from the Heart Performanc e Consulting Group
Jan 19, 2016
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