Sharing stories is important in any community, be it a family, a collective or an organisation. It helps us to understand each other better, allows us to make sense of our experiences and to connect. When we share stories intentionally, we can create an environment for better work and a strong, united culture.
Storytelling expert Shawn Callahan led us through a practical session exploring the definition of story and various techniques for eliciting them, with a focus on identifying effective questions to encourage storytelling. We had the opportunity to test out two of these techniques in small groups, to gain a practical understanding of the participant experience and discuss facilitation techniques. For me, these practical exercises highlighted how much meaning can be derived from sharing stories compared to sharing opinions, and how compelling they can be even if not perfectly structured or articulated.
During the session I realised that while I currently employ some storytelling techniques in my role, I do so without conscious effort. Understanding the essence and application of storytelling versus other communication methods will allow me to enhance my impact as a facilitator.
Overall, the session demonstrated how storytelling can help people understand each other better, build stronger work relationships, and impact how things work in an organization. We took away practical ways to use stories for better communication, managing change, and teamwork. Understanding what makes a good story and how to get them out of people gave us useful skills for facilitating meaningful meetings and discussions.
ODA members, note: A recording of Shawn’s session is available to you via the membership portal; just log on to the ODA website. Another great reason to be an ODA member! Join now!