Storytelling Skills: Wow Your Crowd

About this class

The best way to make a point or inspire action in the workplace is by telling a compelling story. This class is not a general overview about why storytelling in the workplace is important or how famous businesses have used storytelling in the past. This is a nuts and bolts, point-by-point instructional on how you can go about crafting and delivering stories that will move your listeners. In this class, students will learn:

• The two essential elements of stories
• The difference between stories and “story-ish” information
• How to apply the Six Senses to create emotional resonance
• How to shape a narrative across the trajectory of five beats
• How to zero in on and shape a narrative around one selling point

Takeaways

• One 2-to-5 minute story in the first draft model
• A worksheet that guides the student through the steps of crafting future stories
• The experience of having shared a story with a partner and, optionally, with the whole room

Prereqs & Preparation

Preparation is not mandatory, but it is especially useful for a student to have prepared a short story to share. Each student should think of a message he or she wants to communicate in his/her career now or in the near future. Then think up a story that illustrates that message or proves that point. Zero in on an actual incident (or incidents) and the thoughts, feelings, words and actions of the individuals involved.