A good leader must be a persuasive motivator and a good story can be a powerful leadership tool.
Well told stories can be used by leaders to inspire and motivate their people. According to Annette Simmons, author of “Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins” there are six types of stories that can be used at work:
- “Who I am” Stories, to give a powerful insight into what really motivates you
- “Why I’m Here” Stories, to replace suspicion with trust
- “Teaching Stories”, to make a lesson clear
- “Vision Stories”, to stimulate action and raise morale
- “Values in Action” Stories, to define what certain values mean to you
- “I Know What You’re Thinking” Stories, to show respect for the other point of view while convincing your listener that you’re right.
Whatever story you tell, just keep in mind the following tips:
- Be authentic
- Pay attention to your audience
- Practice
- Create an experience
To learn more: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/BusinessStoryTelling.htm
Image source: Infinityconcepts.net
Yes, I totally agree! Storytelling is a powerful teaching tool. Many people, including myself, often remember facts, dates and concepts better when it is taught in the context of a story. A well told anecdote will stick with you and there is the tendency to want to recount it to others, expanding the audience and making it stick in your mind easier.
Authenticity is the key…keeping it real will prevent you from changing the story over time. It is easier (and it sounds more sincere) when the story is real and without too many embellishments. If it is too complicated it will also lead to the “Chinese Whispers” syndrome where the tale becomes so contorted that it loses the plot as it mutates from being told over and over again,
Finally, if it is simple and generic enough then it can work in many different languages which will avoid the “Lost in Translation” syndrome.