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I succeeded in telling a great story twice in my life. I know, it doesn’t sound like much, especially as I’m writing in this space about great storytelling. You’d think I’d be some kind of expert in the field. But the reality is that telling a good story is hard. We all try to do it. It’s a huge part of human communication. Just because we tell them, though, doesn’t mean we’re good at it. Tell me you haven’t sat through some mind-numbing stories.
The first time, I was teaching college undergraduates. I told them a very personal story about something that happened to me and my family while traveling abroad. I’ll spare the details. But I can recall my students sitting very still, quiet, their eyes on me (difficult with students of any age). Some were visibly upset, their faces reacting to the emotional contours of the story. The more I realized they were with me, the more my confidence grew, the more vivid the detail became, and the better the story flowed.
The second time I was with a group of friends. They had known my penchant for getting into unusual situations, so they were predisposed to my predicaments. This time I told them a story about a house-sitting situation that turned horrifying. There were weird details and plot twists and everything flowed in the proper sequence. They laughed at the funny parts, were quiet at the tense parts, and reacted enthusiastically when I finished.
I don’t recount this to boast of my storytelling skills. Rather, I want you to understand the power of good storytelling and how rare it is in our lives. Memorable stories linger long after they’re heard… Your audience might snicker about it later, or even better, retell it to someone else, which is the whole point. Stories have been relayed, passed on, and preserved since ancient times. They capture the essence of who we are as people and help us interpret the often crazy things that happen to us, from the odd minutiae of daily life to the bizarre nature of the human condition. In the workplace, being memorable—for all the right reasons—can serve you very well.
Storytelling isn’t just a trendy cliche people throw around at conferences. It’s real and you should consider how it might help you.
Let’s purposely understand how to tell a great story, by breaking it down into its critical elements.
Easing expectations might help you to relax. I still recall a few mortifying attempts at storytelling I experienced in meetings. One concept I prepared missed the mark so badly that I looked under the table to see if there was room for me. I remember the time I gave a toast at a wedding and what I was certain would be a funny story resulted in a few half-hearted chuckles and polite clapping. Imagine. And that’s in front of a wedding audience. At least we had the champagne.
Practice is so important. Had I practiced my toast (where was Toastmasters when I needed it?), I never would have experienced that awkward appearance. Storytelling isn’t natural, especially these days when we’re not speaking to others face to face nearly as often as we used to. Had I practiced, I might not have been as nervous. Preparation is a great way to calm the nerves.
And, finally, once your story is over. Stop talking. Let it sink in. Don’t over-explain. Take your seat and be quiet. Enjoy the fact that you just told a memorable story. You left your audience with something of value.
There’s lots of talk these days about the power of good storytelling. At this point, we all get it. What we don’t understand well enough, is how we can improve our own stories to make a more powerful impression. Whether it’s in a classroom, a conference room, an auditorium, or in a bar having margaritas with a bunch of friends, there’s tremendous value in becoming a great storyteller. After all, wouldn’t it be nice if people looked forward to seeing you because you always have great stories to tell?
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