Storytelling has a long tradition of orally communicating ideas, beliefs, personal histories, and life-lessons. Most adults start their lives listening to and telling stories as children before they even begin to read and write. At one time or another, we have all been affected by the world of imagination created by a 'Story'. A film, play or book can bring on the deepest of emotions ( joy, anger, tears ) but how can this help in a corporate learning environment ? Lawyers are known to use story telling highly effective in bringing a case to life for the jury or the judge so as to make good, convincing arguments. The emotional 'buy-in' associated with storytelling makes it a useful ally for learning and development departments. Yet many companies have doubts about its actual benefits.
In classrooms and training environments where it has been used, storytelling has proved that in a blended learning situation, it's a powerful resource for any company. Creation of Business-led stories on topics such as increasing competitive advantage, improving service, efficient operations, service delivery and customer relationship management encourage staff being trained to identify, focus and relate their own experience to times when they have previously achieved these skills or how to they can achieve similar outcomes on a daily basis.
Stories in organizational learning can be used in three ways:
first, to illustrate
second, to stimulate a discussion and
third, to envision - to fast forward in time and think of the story that you want to achieve.
Storytelling can be a great tool for maximizing learning. Every time we understand a new set of data, learn a new skill, change an attitude, or share a part of ourselves with others, we do it through creating some sort of story. By using the storytelling process consciously, we can increase the effectiveness, appeal, and enjoyment of our training sessions.
It is important therefore for any story to have what is called a - story spine. Originally created by playwright Kenn Adams, is a tool for creating well-structured stories.
The platform : Once upon a time…
The catalyst : But one day…
The consequences : Because of that…
The climax : Until finally…
The resolution : Ever since then…
One of the best examples of how a mundane topic can be built into a story narrative is the official internet Storytelling FAQ at Tim Sheppard's Storytelling Resources for Storytellers
This is how it introduces FAQs on Storytelling to learners :
Once upon a time, in the land of storytelling, came a young seeker new to the place. He searched confusedly through the myriad threads of words, until he came upon the dark, shadowy cave of Mr. Faq. He knew this from the small plaque at the entrance to the cave that read, "Mr. Faq, Frequently Asked Questions answered. Please ring the bell." "Mr. Faq," he cried, forgoing the bell, "What IS this place?" Stepping from the shadows, Mr Faq took a slow breath then began to speak in his deep, slow voice, "This is a place where those who spend their days and nights telling stories to others may gather. Here they exchange techniques and tips, let each other know of conventions, classes and concerts, and discuss storytelling - what it was, what it is, and what it is becoming. "And, of course, there are stories. There are always stories." Mr. Faq took a long, deep puff from his pipe, and waited for the next inevitable question. The seeker fidgeted and then burst out, "But Mr. Faq... why?" Mr. Faq sighed. "Storytelling is an age-old tradition that has existed since the dawn of time in every culture there ever was. Here we may discuss its roots and how they relate to the storytelling of today. It exists in many forms: the traditional tale around a camp fire, the scriptural stories told from the pulpit, in hypertext form on the Internet, with the roll of a die in a role-playing game, in the classroom, on the radio, television, movies, and in the pages of books... All these things and more are part of the grand tradition of storytelling. The seeker scrunched up his face and asked, "Well... what IS storytelling, Mr. Faq?" "Storytelling is many things to many people," Mr. Faq replied, "It is entertainment, a way of passing on a culture's history, or a way of teaching to both the young and the old. It is something that must be experienced and tried before you can fully understand it. More than anything else, storytelling is an art. An art that anyone can participate in. We all are storytellers, whether we realize it or not." The seeker was silent for a moment. Then, with a new and growing gleam of excitement in his eye he asked, "Mr. Faq, I like to tell stories! How can I learn more about storytelling?" Mr. Faq drew a long, tattered scroll from his cloak and handed it to the seeker. "Read this," he commanded. <<<<>>> The seeker handed the list back gingerly and it disappeared into the folds of Mr. Faq's cloak. Mr. Faq smiled at him and said, "You have sought knowledge and gained it. May it serve you well. "Welcome newcomer. May all your stories touch the heart." The smoke from Mr. Faq's pipe grew until it filled the cave. The seeker coughed, but before the smoke became unbearable, it slowly faded away. The seeker looked around, yet Mr. Faq was nowhere to be seen. The seeker turned and walked out of the cave. In the distance, he could see the flickering light of a campfire and the evening breeze carried the voices of the storytellers gathered there. Hurriedly, he made his way to join them... The Beginning...
Impressed ?? If you are interested in getting to learn more about Story Telling I highly recommend that you make a trip and visit http://www.timsheppard.co.uk/story/
There are also different ways that a story can be narrated to a learner - in the classroom, print materials (comics for e.g) for later consumption and through the medium of Digital Storytelling. Instructional Design tools -- computers, scanners, video -- can help update the ancient craft of telling stories and reach learners in the form of Digital Storytelling
So what is Digital Story Telling all about? Everyone has a story to tell. Technology now allows anyone to tell it in their own way. Digital storytelling uses the available tools of the computer and Internet, and morphs it with words and narration, with the final outcome being an interesting multi-media mix of images and voice. A Digital Story is a 3-5 minute "mini-movie" based on a real person's experiences, usually focusing on a single important event, object, person, etc. in that person's life. Digital Stories can combine the storyteller's own voice with images, music, and sound effects to grab the audience's attention and help bring the person's experience to life.
But more on this in my future posts. In the meantime here is a selection of books available out there to help you link existing stories to just about any situation:
- Goldilocks on Management, by Gloria Gilbert Mayer & Thomas Mayer
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Management, by Chris and Reina Komisarjevsky
- All I Need To Know In Life I Learned From Romance Novels, by Victoria M. Johnson
- Shakespeare On Management, by J. M. Shafritz
- Inside Out: Using Classic Children’s Stories for Personal and Professional Growth, by Myron J Radio & Rod N Johnson
- Real Power: Business Lessons from the Tao Te Ching, by James A Autry & Stephen Mitchell
- The Leadership Lessons of Jesus, by Bob Brine
- The Leadership Genius of Jesus, by William Beausay
- More Leadership Lessons of Jesus, by Bob Briner
- The Management Lessons of Jesus, by Bob Briner
- Moses on Management: 50 Leadership Lessons from the Greatest Manager of All Time, by David Baron
- Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times, by Donald T. Phillips
- The Founding Fathers on Leadership: Classic Teamwork in Changing Times,Donald T. Phillip
- The Social Life of Information, by John Seely Brown, Paul Duguid
- The Springboard : How Storytelling Ignites Action in Knowledge-Era Organizations by Stephen Denning
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