I’m doing some thinking around storytelling, and will be posting some thoughts soon.
In the meantime, here’s a concise bit of advice from Susan Trivers about incorporating stories into a presentation
Look around you at the news of the world. In tragedies and in triumphs there are stories of human nature that should spark your thinking. How do parents go out in front of their communities when they’re overcome with grief? Thousands of activists will travel miles at their own expense to share their message. There are sports figures, and political leaders and business executives who face difficulties and turn them into opportunities.
I’m not recommending that you tell these stories, because they are not your own. I am recommending that you let your mind wander over your own life and you’ll suddenly be reminded of a time when you experienced something similar and acted in an inspiring way. Think relevance rather than replication.
The three essential elements of a story are:
1. Crisis
2. Obstacles to overcoming the crisis
3. ResolutionWhen you remember your own stories, identify the three elements. Craft your story using dramatic language, short phrasing and the active voice. Then end the story with a quick lesson learned. Now you’ve found an inspiring story you can take to your audiences.
I particularly like ‘Relevance, not replication’.
I agree that Storytelling is a great way to teach others.
Make a point, tell a story or tell a story and then extract the lesson from the story, either way they are a great way to help your audience remember your points.
When I tell people in my presentation skills workshops about the power of storytelling, I describe it stories as peanut butter for your brain.
It just sticks.
And if they remember the story they are more likely to remember the point or lesson from that story.
Making a difference,
Richard Elmes CSP
The Sales Dating Guy
And it’s not just story in general but your own experiences that works the best.
I was at 2 conferences on 2 consecutive days a couple of months ago. It gave me time to see 17 presentations back to back… Eeep.
One of the major things that I noticed was that people who told stories from their life were interesting.
People who didn’t, weren’t.
People who *took their time* telling stories were fascinating (whilst they were telling the stories). The whole audience just woke up in response.
So… not just anyone’s peanut butter, but YOUR peanut butter…
)