Your team is facing tough challenges. How can you use storytelling to uplift and motivate them?

When using storytelling to uplift and motivate your team during challenges, consider the power of vulnerability. You don't need to limit the history to your team members; sharing stories about times when leaders, whether in your company or from external examples, faced significant setbacks yet persisted, can humanize the struggle and make it more relatable. This approach not only breaks down the idea that challenges are signs of failure but also fosters a culture of openness and resilience. By showing that even the most successful people have faced and overcome obstacles, you create an environment where taking risks and learning from mistakes are seen as valuable steps toward growth.

Sometimes people feel the future goals of your organization are too distant or nebulous, & they don’t yet see how their skills & passions play into those “not yet, but soon” points of impact. So, when we call back to reminders of those skills they possess & the wins they’ve taken part in, we create semi-tangible points of reference for them moving forward. They can begin to see what it will be /like/ because they’ve seen /how/ it’s come about before. - It’s not new, it’s just different. - It’s not an unknown quantity, it’s a shift in something you’re already great at now. - You have a part in this noble goal we’re all striving toward, & it’s vital to everyone’s success that we /all/ push forward together. Raise the bar, but with them.

Sometimes, the teammates who need the most encouragement already see those prominent individuals as “shining stars” and feel forgotten, sidelined or neglected - in the shadows behind them. So even as your model employee stands out, make a point of acknowledging their work, and then point out the wins and celebrate those who don’t draw attention to themselves purposefully, but who still exemplify specific values, standards or attitudes that the organization favors. Shine the light on those who need a boost. Point toward the blessing they bring to your team, the impact you all have together, and give specific examples of their work so they know you’ve actually noticed them and aren’t just pandering.

When a team faces tough challenges, storytelling can be a powerful tool. Reflecting on past successes reminds team members of their strengths and abilities. Sharing stories of overcoming similar obstacles boosts confidence and shows that success is possible. Creating heroes within the team is also effective. Highlight stories of individuals who faced difficulties and came out stronger. This personal touch inspires others and makes overcoming challenges seem achievable. Revisiting company values, especially those related to well-being, and showcasing team members who embody these values, fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose. This approach encourages perseverance and keeps spirits high.

Vision requires repeating. It has to come up over & over again as people tend to stagnate in comfort and May struggle to look beyond their normal patterns of behavior. It takes repetition to learn the alphabet, our multiplication tables, and the values of the organization we one day will work for. It’s very rare for anyone to hear something once, & have that lock in correctly. Talk through the noble goal that has been set, refresh & return to the steps you will take to achieve it. Restate it in different ways, find examples of what’s happening now & echo those efforts forward in the new paradigm you’re constructing. Your team needs repetition, because by the time you’re getting tired of saying it, they’re just getting it.

People who work on internal tasks rarely get to see the external impact your organization is making. They are part of that impact, even if they aren’t in the front lines. Every heart matters, every hand at work adds to the effort. But when people don’t hear how their work matters, they can check out, feel disconnected and lose passion for what they do. Capture stories of impact and release them regularly. Point out how each department had a part to play in making that happen. Highlight individuals if necessary, but show how the team - as a whole - made that success come about. Give good detail to the story. Talk about the reaction of the client, let their words, their testimonial, be the crescendo and linger in their reaction.