What is behind the term storytelling?
Storytelling is simply about telling a story. People have been doing this for thousands of years. Not without reason, of course. We all enjoy listening to or reading stories. Especially when they have a concrete connection to our life or professional situation and implicitly bring us messages and insights.
That's why stories are so well suited if you want to make someone understand a complex issue or create real commitment for your projects.
Who is it useful for?
Basically, anyone can use this means of communication to better reach their dialogue partners and listeners.
Leading an entire team through motivation and commitment is no small feat, as each individual employee has their own focus that needs to be taken into account. At Coaching Change, we often support managers, consultants and project managers whose communication skills are required in this particular way.
Is storytelling manipulative?
Even saying "Good morning" at the bakery is manipulative. A person cannot be neutral and always moves between two poles. It is also human that we develop our own tendencies.
More important is the question of the attitude and understanding of values with which you use storytelling. Coaching Change wants to contribute to appreciative and constructive cooperation in organisations and in society. It is precisely with these values and this attitude that we conduct our training sessions. Including that of storytelling.
In what context is storytelling necessary or useful?
There are many challenges in the corporate context - reorganisations, new work processes, team conflicts, working from home and virtual teams, to name but a few. In such situations, you need a different mindset on the one hand and categorisation and understanding on the other. Good storytelling allows you to reach your team or dialogue partners on an emotional level. This allows the listener to identify with you or the task, making it much easier to understand and retain information and meaning.
Authentic storytelling also helps you to develop a transparent attitude to leadership and has a lasting impact on your leadership success.
Kai Magaldi is a trainer and coach at Coaching Change. As a former manager, he knows the daily challenges of leadership and has already successfully conducted numerous training sessions on the topic of storytelling.
Dear Kai - Why are you so enthusiastic about this topic?
Most of my learnings and insights in life have come from storytelling. I didn't realise that before. It was only later that I realised the pattern that the significant milestones of my knowledge are all linked to stories. Be it that I heard them from teachers, mentors or at lectures, read them in books or experienced them myself. Since then, I have consciously utilised storytelling and am enthusiastic about passing on my knowledge.
