6 Keys to Strategic Stories

“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.” — Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings

I’m realizing more and more how stories help you drive a point home.

It’s one thing to make a point.  It’s another for your story to make the point for you.

If your ideas aren’t sticking, or you’re not getting buy in, maybe a compelling story is the answer.

6 Keys to Strategic Stories

You can use strategic stories as a catalyst for change, but you need a recipe for telling good strategic stories.  Here is a recipe you can use to tell strategic stories:

1. Make stories short (1 -2 minutes) so they can be retained
2. Limit stories to no more than 2 or 3 characters, so it’s easy to follow
3. Build your story around a singular message.
4. Tell your story in the present tense so participants can relate
5. Use powerful images to tie to a theme
6. Repeat a phrase or word that is the essence of your message

The value of the stories is they help you engage people and they have a more powerful recall than slides, facts and figures.

You Might Also Like

Character Trumps Emotion Trumps Logic
The 10 Best Ways to Persuade
Leading and Influencing Mindful Change