Thinking About Storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful communication method that allows you to make your presentations and training more compelling and coaching more effective. Here are four instances where using stories can be particularly effective.

1. New-hire orientation: Share stories about what you do as an organization that make a difference in the world for both your customers and community.
2. Starting a presentation: Grab your audience’s interest right away by sharing a story about how knowing the material your presentation covers made a difference to someone with whom you worked.
3. Teaching abstract concepts: Use analogies from common everyday life and from your learner’s unique perspective.
4. Coaching: Use a story to help you challenge limiting beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes. Because you are demonstrating the concept through “just a story,” you often encounter less defensiveness and resistance.

These tips were adapted from the May 2012 Infoline by David Lee, “Using Stories to Enhance Learning,” available at the ASTD Store.

**UPDATE: David Lee presents a free webcast on using storytelling for enhanced learning experiences. The live event takes place June 20, 2012, and will be recorded for on-demand playback.