When someone asks what makes a good communicator stand out, I often reply with one word: storytelling.
Storytelling in business communication has been ‘in fashion’ for some time now but do you really know HOW to do it? Do you know what makes people sit up and listen to your story?
Some time ago, I came across an excellent video on how to tell an engaging story from one of my favourite YouTube channels for communication (Lighthouse Communications). And it’s one I use a lot with my clients.
Here’s a quick summary of the 5 steps:
- Dive into the action as soon as possible: Give only relevant information to set the scene and introduce the characters. Use a time-maker – WHEN did the story happen. Think ‘What/Who/When’.
- Show not tell: Use some descriptive detail here so the listeners can identify with the characters and imagine the scene.
- Build tension. Describe the obstacle, tension, or problem faced. A story falls flat without tension.
- Share the shift -the resolution: Describe how the situation changed or the challenge was overcome.
- Connect the dots – the takeaway. Tell your audience why you’re sharing this story, how is it relevant to them.
It’s an excellent framework and in the video, you can see an excellent example of a simple story, well-told.
Here are 3 storytelling tips to remember
- Make it real – Share personal or workplace examples. People connect to authentic experiences.
- Keep it tight – Focus on one clear point or message. Too much detail can dilute the story.
- Use “spoken English” – Keep your language natural and conversational. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it has to be you.
Why not try it out?
Think of a small story from your work life, perhaps a time when something went wrong (or right!), and what you learned from it. Try telling it using the 5 steps and see how clear and engaging it come out.
Enjoy the video and happy storytelling!
