The Secret to Building Trust Through Stories

Welcome to the First Edition of Speak With Impact!

I’m Azizi Marshall, founder of the Center for Creative Arts Therapy and Speak with Impact Lab, and I’m thrilled to kick off this weekly series with you. Each week, I’ll share exclusive, actionable tips to help you communicate with greater impact while fostering workplace wellness.

My goal?

To equip you with insights that drive real change, helping you cultivate a workplace where communication is purposeful AND mental health is a top priority. These strategies are designed to deliver IMMEDIATE value, guiding you toward practical, long-term success.

Let’s get started!

Stop "Communicating". Start Connecting.

Everyone tells you to communicate more effectively — through emails, meetings, workshops, or even casual conversations.

But doesn’t it feel draining, like you’re shouting into some sort of abyss?

Here’s the solution:

Stop thinking of communication as a TASK, and start thinking of it as a way to CONNECT deeply.

That might seem like a small shift, but it’s EVERYTHING!

Communication without connection is noise. When you focus on connection, you create trust, inspire action, and build relationships that strengthen your workplace and your brand.

How?

Through stories!

Stories are how we make sense of the world, and when used effectively, they’re the key to unlocking attention, trust, and collaboration. Today, I’ll show you how to uncover great stories, connect them to workplace mental health and impactful communication, and make them practical for your work, and personal life.

My Three-Step Formula for Storytelling with Impact

1. Identify a Relatable Challenge

Think about a problem you or your team face regularly. Is it the overwhelming stress of juggling responsibilities? Is it the struggle to be heard in meetings? Choose something real and relatable.

2. Tell a Story That Brings It to Life

For example, one of my clients recently shared how they felt unseen during a big project. They were overworked, undervalued, and on the verge of burnout. We worked on framing their contributions in a way that demonstrated value without overextending themselves.

3. Offer a Practical Takeaway

In that client’s case, I encouraged them to use the “Yes, And…” technique (borrowed from improv) to validate others' ideas while clearly sharing their own. It transformed their communication style and their team dynamics.

Where to Find Stories

You don’t have to look far. Your day-to-day is full of them.

• Did you have a breakthrough moment with a colleague?
• Did a workplace challenge spark a new idea?
• Did a team member inspire you?

Capture these moments. Jot them down in a notebook or your phone. They’re gold for future newsletters, social posts, or presentations.

Turn Stories Into Solutions

Every story should have a purpose.

Ask yourself: What does this story teach? How can it help others?

Here’s an example:

When I worked with a team of educators struggling to maintain boundaries with students, I brought in real-life scenarios to demonstrate the impact of blurred lines. Through role-playing and reflection, they not only learned to set professional boundaries but also understood why it mattered for their students' growth and learning.

Remix and Reuse

Once you’ve built a library of stories, they become infinitely reusable. That story about boundaries? It became the foundation of a keynote, an interactive workshop, and a blog post.

Don’t worry about creating new content every time. Instead, adapt your stories to fit the platform and audience.

One Last Thought

Great communication is not about what you say; it’s about how you make others feel. Prioritize connection, clarity, and care in every interaction.

And remember: Every conversation, every presentation, every moment with your team is an opportunity to inspire.

P.S. Want more? Join me for a free 30-minute consultation on workplace mental health and impactful communication strategies. Let’s take you and your organization to the next level.

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BOOK A CALL

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?? Have thoughts or feedback? Message me and let me know!

?? Need a fresh start? Check out our workshops at Speak with Impact Lab.

Let’s make an impact together.

Warm regards,

Azizi