Learning through stories

Learning through stories

Since training as a Lead Facilitator in “Facilitation Through Values” with Corporate Evolution in 2016, I have paid attention to people who attach stories to their messages.  Stories subliminally encourage us to develop ideas that might be new, dormant, complex, challenging to accept, dull, unusual, etc.  Over time I have crafted a library of stories, which I pepper into training and coaching sessions to trigger participants into considering how the concepts being discussed apply directly to them.  After triggering participants with one of my stories, I encourage participants to share their own experiences.  Long after the coaching or training, participants recall the session because it is anchored in their own frame of reference.

I find inspiration in books, plays, films, TV shows, documentaries, biographies, podcasts, sermons, fables, and mythology.  TED talks and speeches are particularly useful because of the way the speaker connects the story with the message.  In Louise Evan’s TED talk “Own your behaviour, master your communication”, Louise starts with a personal story, which she then deconstructs through her Five Chairs model.  Louise has graciously provided her insights and wisdom towards the development of my own Five Chairs stories, which have been used to great effect with a wide variety of clients. 

Another example from TED is Dr. Brene Brown.  Brown catapulted to fame in the early days of TED with her talk “The power of vulnerability”.  Her books, Netflix show, and TV appearances all feature personal stories to illustrate the point she is making.  The late, Sir Ken Robinson, Amy Cuddy, Simon Sinek, and Tim Urban, who make up the top five highest downloads on TED, use storytelling in a similar way.

I would love to hear which stories have inspired you and why?  And how do you use stories to inspire others?

You can find more on storytelling by TED presenters and speeches here and here.