Why is storytelling a powerful and effective way to communicate your ideas and information?

Extract from interview with Abigayle Carmody, Donna Cole - Last Say Communications

The human mind, in an attempt to remember and understand, assembles information and experience in the form of a story. Robert Dennehy, professor of management at the Lubin School of Business at Pace University in New York argues that storytelling is increasing in importance in a "technological and impersonal world". He says that "narrative skills provide a powerful means of relaying a message because story evokes visual imagery and motion. Stories are more likely to be remembered than "bland directives".

Stories express how and why life changes and how we face everyday challenges. They explain the transitions we go through and how we deal with them. Stories deal with universal themes and when you think about it we've been telling the same types of stories throughout history. Stories inspire, teach, and entertain and they get to the heart of what matters.

The real benefit is becoming influential in your communication and by influential I mean in a positive, inspiring and memorable way. You can benefit by using stories when leading, training, presenting, any role that calls for inspiring and motivating others. The benefits involved in the telling of the story include a more complete engagement with the listener. At the heart of storytelling is the art of listening. It's all about connecting to people.

How can you teach me to use stories?
We believe everybody has a story to tell and that people are the expert of their own stories.
There are four important steps we take in teaching you to use stories effectively.

• First, we facilitate and guide you through the process by asking you key questions to help identify the insights and elements of the story you need to tell.
• Second, a good story is purposeful. To help you create a story that is meaningful and will have a positive impact; we work with you to define the challenges you're faced with, to construct a vision of how things could be, to articulate the values that are important and relevant to you.
• Third, a good story is well constructed. We teach you the craft of story - how to build your story from the ground up.
• Fourth, a good story is a story well told. We teach you the art of storytelling - how to deliver a story in an engaging and memorable way.
  
  
  Learning about storytelling is an enriching and rewarding experiences and has benefits in your professional and personal life.