“The art of STORY Telling”

Have you ever found yourself in business thinking?

“How do I get this message across?”

Or

“Why are my team, friends or family not quite understanding what it is I am communicating.”

“What can I do different? What can I say?”

Over the years I have been to many business seminars, conferences, monthly meetings and I am sure you like me can empathise when the time comes after a long day, maybe you commuted there that day and late in the afternoon you have the thoughts of ‘when will this meeting end?’ and you become eager to escape and get away.

Richard Bandler (Co-founder) of NLP states:

“The meaning of any communication is the response you get”

Five Minute CHALLENGE:

Five Minute CHALLENGE:

• Stop and close you eyes and remember your favorite film.
• Visualize the cinema screen, the colors, and the vibrancy, the feeling of excitement.
• Hear all the associated music with the film, the soundtrack.
• Remember how you felt.

As you recalled the movie, have you considered what it is about the movie that allowed you to recall it?

• The Plot
• The Story Line
• The Cast
• The Action

The secret to a good story is the ability to illicit emotional responses in the imagination of the listener.

I have found there are 7 key principles to the ‘art of telling a story’

1. Decide on your topic, what is going to be about?

2. Who is your audience? Who is it for?

3. Write it in about 12-15 sentences.

4. Use imaginative words

a. Visual language

b. Auditory language

c. Kinesthetic language

5. Practice

6. Re-write it in three forms

a. Short version

b. Medium version

c. Long version

7. Share it with others

APPLICATION:

• In your next team meeting include a story to demonstrate a point or message to your team and notice the effect it has and how engaged your team are with the message.
• With you children teach them a life lesson through a story.
• Share a story with a loved one.

If you would like support or more help with this skill area visit www.stratagemplus.co.uk and contact one of the team we would love to help more.

Stratagem + Ltd 2009