Storytelling – What I learned throughout my career

How storytelling came into my professional life

My background is engineering, I like numbers, they speak to me. In school math was my preferred subject. When I studied I wanted to earn some money teaching math to school kids. I failed as I could not imagine how one could not see how a graph looks like when reading a formula. For me it was crystal clear.

I stopped my teaching career immediately. Later, in my professional life, I was heading up a costing team and in this role I needed to share information on e.g. how costs are changing and what would be the impact on product creation.

I was lucky at this time to have a leader that - let´s put it this way - invented storytelling.  His background ironically being a real teacher – unlike me doing my first amateur steps back then. He introduced me to the art of storytelling. This is what I learned from him.

Why is storytelling even important?

People love stories. We’re wired for it. Our human brains are wired for stories. It’s how we best make sense of the world around us.

Data alone can be overwhelming for those watching our presentations. Stories instead, engage hearts and minds and allow watchers, readers and listeners to relax into the moment.

When listening to, reading or watching a story the part of the brain activates that allows the listener, reader or watcher to turn the story into their own ideas and experience.

When listening to, reading or watching a story, listeners not only have similar brain activity to each other, but to the storyteller as well if the storytelling is performed live.

When the brain encounters an emotionally charged story it releases dopamine which makes it easier and more accurate to remember.

Watching, listening or reading an emotionally engaging story activates more parts of the brain than when the brain is processing facts. An activated brain is an engaged mind.

Each of these four actions in the brain proves that in order to change behaviour we need to engage the emotions of our audiences first through stories. And there's one more important reason storytelling is so important:

Storytelling quiets your audience's inner critic according to one of the world’s most respected screenwriters and storytelling coaches. The problem with sticking to the facts in your presentations is that while you’re presenting your data your audience will be arguing in their heads with you with their own facts and figures.

Storytelling is about your audience. No matter your story's purpose, the audience and their actions and emotions determine how the story develops.

Storytelling is engaging. The reason stories are powerful is that they engage the audience. The audience can imagine themselves in the story and is more likely to take action because of it.

Storytelling provides useful information. Even though stories are meant to connect to an audience's emotions, it also provides information that audience members can use. This useful information is given in a narrative form and is much easier and more fun for the audience to absorb.

Storytelling is a valuable interaction. Even if you aren't telling your story in-person to your intended audience, your story in any medium is still an interaction between you or your brand and your listener.
I am forever thankful that I had someone in my professional life helping me to see the beauty and the need for storytelling.

Next, I'll take a look at how to become a storyteller in sharing my approach.
Storytelling is one core chapter in my course SHOW UP! It is an art we all need to master in the work environment and part of lifelong learning.

Learning How to Become a Good Storyteller

There are many times throughout your life that being a good storyteller could come in handy, in private and professional life.

There are two items that are absolutely necessary for being a storyteller. A storyteller needs a good story that is relevant to the audience. Be sure you know what you’re trying to convey to your audience and keep their interests in mind as you unveil your story.

Be aware of how you’re presenting the story, whether orally or written. What tone are you projecting? Are you trying to rush the story to completion? Your presentation will determine how well the audience is pulled into the story.

Here are some tips that will help you become a better storyteller:

1.      Read, read and read some more. You’ll stand a better chance of becoming a good storyteller if you’re exposed to good stories. Think back to the stories you enjoyed as a child or authors that held your imagination. Use those stories as guidelines for creating your own.

2.      Write everything down. If you write down your experiences, things you’ve heard others say, or dreams you have had. You may be able to incorporate some of that into your stories.

3.      Don’t limit yourself. Maybe you’re interested in storytelling to entertain your children.

4.      Stick with what you know. Tell stories about something you’re passionate about. When you know your subject matter, it’s easier to weave a story. Create your stories based on people you know but change the names to protect the innocent.

5.      Pay attention to the world around you.

6.      Learn to stick to the important facts. Storytellers, especially new storytellers, have a tendency to take off on rabbit trails that have nothing to do with their story. By straying from the story, you’ll lose your audience’s attention.

Even if you’ve never told a story in your life, you can become a great storyteller! With a little effort and practice, your storytelling skills will improve and people will be drawn to what you have to say.

Next, I'll take a look at techniques how to prepare when storytelling.
Storytelling is one core chapter in my course SHOW UP! It is an art we all need to master in the work environment and part of lifelong learning.

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