Story telling - The why and how!

While I was leading a telecom project, I had a direct report, Samantha (name changed), who had been with the organization for five years, steadily climbing the ranks as a reliable software engineer. One day, I assigned her to mentor a new hire, Alex (name changed), fresh out of college. Samantha was excited about this new responsibility, reminiscing about how she was mentored just five years ago.

However, reality soon set in. Balancing her mentoring duties with her day-to-day tasks became overwhelming, especially as we neared a release. Alex, eager to prove himself, asked countless questions. His curiosity and enthusiasm were sometimes overwhelming, and Samantha began to feel the strain.

Then, something unexpected happened. In their interactions, Alex introduced Samantha to a new programming tool he had learned in college. Initially hesitant, Samantha was soon won over by Alex's passion and decided to give it a try. She discovered that the tool significantly streamlined her current project.

This positive disruption shifted Samantha's perspective. She began to see mentoring not as a burden but as an opportunity. She dedicated time to teach Alex and, in return, learned about the latest trends and technologies from him. Their relationship evolved into a symbiotic partnership where both grew and benefited.

The emotions that emerged from this disruption were profound. Samantha felt a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment, while Alex gained confidence and a deeper understanding of the industry. Together, they achieved milestones that neither could have accomplished alone.

This experience taught Samantha that mentorship is a two-way street and that embracing new ideas, regardless of their source, can lead to remarkable growth.

Well, that's a story! And if you've come this far, you realize how engaging a well-told story can be. It’s hard to leave it halfway, isn’t it?

Storytelling is a critical skill in the professional world, especially in IT.

It transforms dry data and complex concepts into relatable, human experiences that resonate with your audience.

By sharing stories, you can highlight your problem-solving abilities, showcase your leadership skills, and build a personal connection with your audience. Stories make your experiences more memorable and impactful, helping you stand out in a crowded professional landscape.

Good news! There’s a framework to tell compelling stories:

1. Introduce a Normal Scenario and Characters: Set the scene and introduce the main characters.

2. Disruption: Quickly introduce a positive or negative disruption.

3. Emotion from Disruption: Highlight the emotions that arise from the disruption to engage your audience.

4. Action: Describe the actions taken to address the disruption.

5. Outcome: Explain the outcome of these actions.

6. Emotion to Outcome: Reflect on the emotions related to the outcome.

Now If you look back at the story of Samantha and Alex, you’ll see these steps in action. The key strength of any story is how quickly you derail a normal scenario and keep your audience wondering what happens next.

I hope you enjoyed this short article. Please share your thoughts :)