How to Influence Anyone, Anywhere, Every Time

CHAPTER 20STORY

At this stage of our journey, we would all agree that effective communication stands as a cornerstone of a successful career.

Where does story and storytelling fit into the scheme of things? Evidently, it fits in everywhere! ‘Story’ and ‘narrative’ are almost compulsory words in the workplace these days.

We need to take ownership of the narrative. [Who owns it now?]

Our 2030 vision tells the story of our organisation, our people and our customers. [Does it?]

Our narrative takes our customers on an authentic experiential journey. [You mean buying stuff?]

We need to tell our story better. [You mean effective marketing?]

Tell me your story. [Job interview?]

While the word ‘story’ is thrown around quite loosely, the reality is stories are powerful when used with precision and purpose.

Poor use of stories will confuse or bore people. Think about stories as your argument or business case. Stories are real‐world evidence to validate and support your content. If you show a graph indicating a drop in sales, a story from a customer as to why they are reluctant to buy is more convincing and insightful than the descending steps on a graph.

To enhance your leadership abilities and connect more profoundly with your colleagues and your teams, storytelling emerges as a powerful tool. The significance of storytelling in the workplace, and exploring its utility is our final piece of the PAVERS^® elements.

The power of storytelling

We are all products of stories.

Your family ...