Stories are as old as human history.
Stories are how we make sense of the world from a very young age.
Stories tap into our basic human emotions, making us laugh or cry, angry or excited.
So, are you using the power of storytelling to lead, persuade, explain, sell or deliver whatever other communication priority is on your to do list today?
If not, why not?
Understanding what happens when we hear stories is important in helping us become better storytellers.
When we are told a story that resonates with us – holding our attention throughout, having us care about how it ends - it is as if we are experiencing something for the first time. When this happens our brain cells (or neurons) become active or ‘fire’.
When our brain cells fire together they build new connections between them which ‘rewire’ and reshape our brains. This can change the way we see and interact with the world.
Hearing a story can change the way your audience thinks and feels.
Isn’t that an amazing and exciting thing?
By telling someone a story as a way to communicate your idea, project, plan or business, if you do it well, in a way that fires up their brain you might connect in a way that literally changes their brain and how they see the world.
Beyond how exciting this is think about it from a practical point of view
If you are not using storytelling as part of your communication tool kit you are putting yourself at a disadvantage to others that do.
Think about all the ways using stories and storytelling might help you and your business today and in the future:
- Complex ideas can be presented in a way that we can be understood by all
- Managers can become leaders
- Leaders can inspire and motivate
- Data can be brought to life
- Networks can be grown
- Pitches and new business can be won
- Buy in for a change project can be secured
And many, many more…
How would using storytelling help you today? Whose brain do you need to rewire?!
Next time you want to motivate your audience to take the action you want.
Begin by getting them fired up by telling them a story.