Why Stories? Stories are how we think Stories are how we relate
Storytelling is the key ochange Leadership 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 Build trust and rapport Make data and facts sing by becoming applicable, interesting, and relevant Infuse information with stickiness to improve retention. Motivate individuals and groups to take action Benefits of Exceptional Storytelling 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.
Stories answer 3 questions Why - why should I care? How - how will this improve my life? What - what must I do?
Stories to have in your hip pocket owhat the organizations stands for owhat we do stories ovision stories osuccess stories oovercoming barriers story ocustomer stories Change Stories Make your life a story worth telling!
The structural definition 0 A detailed, character based narration of a character s struggles to overcome barriers to reach an important goal.
The elements a story 0 The hero 0 The enemy 0 Major needs of your character 0 Major issues of the story 0 The kinds of possible resolution 0 What the major result is 0 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 SHARES Setting Hindrance Action Results Evaluation Suggested actions PARLAS Problem Action Result Learning Application Suggested actions ChARQES Context Hindrance Action Results quantified Evaluation Suggested actions CCARLS Context Challenge Action Result Lesson Suggested actions
Classic story themes oovercoming the Monster othe Quest otragedy orebirth ovoyage and Return orags to Riches
A hero is tasked with destroying a monster (not necessarily a literal one). Overcoming the Monster
The Quest A hero steps forth to perform a task, and usually has friends/allies around to help out The Quest
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 Tragedy
A 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 Rebirth
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. Voyage and Return
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. Rags to Riches
Crafting your story
1. Determine the theme 0 Creativity and innovation 0 Courage 0 Leadership 0 Assertiveness 0 Teamwork and collaboration 0 Perseverance 0 Helpfulness Others????? o Overcoming the Monster o The Quest o Tragedy o Rebirth o Voyage and Return o Rags to Riches
2. Figure out the key message 0 What is your goal in telling the story? 0 What does the story mean to you? 0 What did you learn or gain from the experience? 0 What do you want the audience to believe after sharing the story? 0 What do you want the audience to do after sharing the story?
3. Start the story Paint the picture 0 What s the setting? 0 What kind of day was it? 0 Who is the main character? (Hero, Protagonist) 0 What s the hero/protagonist doing or feeling? 0 What other characters are present? 0 What are the other characters doing?
4. Determine the conflict or problem 0 What is the core struggle in the story? 0 What does the main character want? 0 What are the complications? 0 What are the barriers that stand in the main character s way? 0 Who is the bad guy in the story? An irritating person/rule/regulation/organizational value, maybe the status quo or a combination?
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 plot Think about: 1. Grabbing people s attention 2. Using sensory imagery 3. Using humor to lighten the mood
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?
Sensory imagery and contrast o What additional visual scenes can you paint for listeners? o Where can you add stark contrasts? o Where can you add contrast of environmental elements? o What irony can you add to further enhance your story? o Where could you add figure of speech to boost contrast and enhance imagery? Oxymorons, metaphors and similes, analogies, and aphorisms
Using humor to lighten the mood 0 Conceptual funny words, phrases and silly ideas that relate to your story 0 Physical how do you use your body, gestures, and facial expressions to invoke humor 0 Vocal pay attention to rhythm, tempo, volume, inflection and timing
7. End the story The 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
Sympathetic main character, AKA the Hero. The audience should be able to see themselves in the hero and the situation. Elements of a Great Story The Hero encounters a Stimulus. Tension or a Conflict is exposed. The Stimulus leads them in the direction of a change, a transformation.. Our Hero now must maneuver challenges and obstacles. A Crossroad where the final transformation takes place. The final chapter in the story is referred to as the Moral of the Story. In your story this is where the hero understands what to do to transform himself The Hero has navigated the Conflict and appears transformed in an ideal state.
What type of stories will you tell?
Remember the 5 C s ocharacters oconflict ocure ochange ocarryout Message