Our mind's are conditioned by stories Business Story Telling

bytaylormarie2

488 followers

Updated 10 years ago

Lead with a story ...

People will identify with your story ... builds trust and repor .

When people hear your story it is like they are getting to knowyou

How many times have you been captured by a good story?

Stories can change the way we think, act, and feel. They can form the foundations of an entire culture, and they have the power to break down barriers and turn bad situations around. Stories can capture our imaginations, illustrate our ideas.

Stories can be powerful business tools, and successful leaders use them to engage their teams. So, if you want to motivate others effectively, you need to learn how to tell a good story.

We'll look at business storytelling – we'll explore when you should use stories, and we'll think about what kind of story you should tell to get the results you want.

What is Business Storytelling?

People tell business stories to communicate and connect , customers, colleagues, partners. Business stories are different from regular stories, in that you tell them with an objective, goal, or desired outcome in mind, rather than for entertainment.

When you tell a story well, it can create an intense, personal connection between your audience and your message. Effective stories can change our opinions, they can inspire us to achieve goals that we didn't think were possible, and they can show us how we can change things for the better.

From ‘Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins: How to Use Your Own Stories to Communicate with Power and Impact' by Annette Simmons. © 2007 Annette Simmons. All rights reserved. Published by AMACOM Books.www.amacombooks.org.

All great stories have three essential elements: context, action, and result.

These three elements make up the CAR framework, which Paul Smith wrote about in his 2012 book, "Lead with a Story." In it, he examines how leaders can use this simple structure to tell better business stories. Let's look at each element in detail.

Content needs to address four key questions.

• Where and when does this story take place? – Establish the "when" and "where" of your story, and clarify whether it's fact or fiction.
• Who is the main character? – This needs to be someone who your audience can connect with. In most cases, you are the main character.
• What does he or she want? – Explain what your main character wants to accomplish.
• Who, or what, is in the way? – Every story needs an obstacle or villain. This can be a person, an event, or a challenge.

As you think about how to tell your story, plan how you'll answer these four questions. It's also important to be authentic , especially when you tell a personal story.

Action

Every great story has action: ups and downs, setbacks, conflicts, failures, and battles. The action is where we experience defeats and learn lessons.

In your story, your main character must "do" something. Ideally, he or she will experience a setback, failure, or problem along the way. Obstacles create tension and forge an important connection with your audience, because everyone experiences them daily.

Great storytellers know that a powerful story is only part of what inspires people to listen. Follow the tips below to become a better storyteller.

• Listen – The best storytellers are also the best listeners. Brush up on youractive listening skills, and give others your full attention when they tell a story.
• Practice – Rehearse your story before you tell it. Even if you practice on your own, just once, in front of a mirror or video camera, this can improve your storytelling.
• Create an experience – When you tell a story, you create an experience for your listeners. Appeal to all five senses, don't just tell them.

To tell a great business story, it's important to be authentic. Use stories that tell other people more about who you are, and why you're here. And, don't be too afraid to tell stories that show failure, poor judgment, or mistakes on your part. When you're prepared to appear vulnerable in front of others, you can quickly establish trust and rapport.

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