Storytelling - A window to the world

Well, it has been a little while since I have done a blog. So thought it was time to post a new one on a subject that as you know is close to my heart.

I have always been fascinated by stories, from my first book 'Wet Albert' written by Michael Cole (creator of BOD and Fingerbobs - Showing my age... and for those who don't know have a quick look on YouTube) to the first time I saw Star Wars. Stories are what make us feel alive and help us use our imagination and help us understand complex information.

Why am I so passionate about storytelling in organisations? Storytelling has become a go to strategic business tool to support a change in attitudes, mind-sets and behaviours.

In a world where colleagues are overwhelmed with information and demand for our attention is at an unprecedented high we can all take solace in a good story well told.

If you believe that stories are the domain of the 4 year old at bed time then you are mistaken; everything we do in life is a story.

Here is a scenario for you to think about.

When you attend a quarterly update or a project review presentation ask yourself what do you remember? Is it the long list of facts, numbers, statements and assertions or is it that one short, powerful story which gave everything meaning?

Before you start on your Storytelling journey you need to ask a simple question?

Do you have a values based story that colleagues will hear, understand and will help influence their attitude and behaviour towards change?

In most Storytelling scenarios you need to know the destination. So here are a few tips on how to use Storytelling as a way of engaging your organisation.

Think big picture: I'm a firm believer in living in the present and focusing on the now, but sometimes thinking about the bigger picture and what it is you really want to do, create, and achieve in your organisation is helpful when knowing which step to take next.

Taking some time to explore the bigger picture can really help an organisation hone in on what it is you want to pursue over the next few years and its the motivation required to get stuck into the work that need focus now. 

Leave your ego at the door: Working towards the big picture is a scary business, and if we let our ego take priority we're already setting ourselves up to fail.

Letting our ego's get in the way can stop us from being bold and brave with the decisions we make, hold us back from learning from our mistakes, and get in the way of being kinder to both ourselves and others around us.

Believe in yourself follow the dreams and goals that have purpose and meaning to you and your organisation but don't be afraid to make mistakes along the way.

Be humble - stay open to lessons you haven't learned and stay focused on the bigger picture; don't let the wish for instant gratification stop you from doing the work and making things happen for yourself. 

Never stop learning: Maybe your big dream or goal is something you're not quite capable of yet. Maybe you need more experience, or to learn a new skill; whatever it is, just because you're not ready doesn't mean you won't be.

Be proactive: All of the ideas and dreams in the world don't mean anything if you don't work crazy hard to make them happen for yourself.

I believe you get out of life what you put in, being proactive and getting started on working towards those goals if we want to see any results.

Even if you're limited on time and resources, make a plan (however big or small) and make sure you're making tiny steps forward as often as you can.

Humans are gifted with such talents that there is literally nothing in this world that can stop us from anything. But dreaming big and telling stories doesn't work alone.

Working hard along with telling the stories that matter is the real key.

Organisations who succeed in this don't stop working, they work even harder to maintain that level and push beyond.

The point about storytelling is not just to dream big, the point is to work hard so that you can dream bigger and tell bigger and better stories.

Thanks for reading,

Robin