24 TH Annual. Session #206. Creative Training Techniques Conference ENGINEER CURIOSITY. The Art of Storytelling Rich Meiss

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1 24 TH Annual Creative Training Techniques Conference ENGINEER CURIOSITY Session #206 The Art of Storytelling Rich Meiss PRE-CONFERENCE SEPT 24 26, 2017 CONFERENCE SEPT 27 29, 2017 MINNEAPOLIS, MN

2 Objectives Discover the art of telling a powerful story Write down sources of personal stories Choose and develop a story for a business presentation or training session

3 5 Types of Stories for the Workplace Storytelling is a hot topic in the presentation world. We often hear examples of great storytellers in motivational speeches, such as Martin Luther King s I Have a Dream speech, and are encouraged to use stories to get our points across. Finding good examples of great storytelling in the business world is a bit more difficult, however. Steve Job s introduction of the iphone is one such example. Here are five types of stories that work in business/organizational settings.* 1. Culture stories Purpose: To create standards around organizational values; to help employees recognize what we stand for and want emphasized around here Examples: Outstanding customer service stories from such organizations as Nordstrom Department Stores or Ritz Carlton Hotels 2. stories Purpose: To build trust with others and help them get to know you; useful when someone is new to a group or taking over a leadership role Examples: In order to bond with a group, a new leader may choose to share a struggle he/she has had, or share the reason why he/she is joining the team 3. Persuasive stories Purpose: To gain agreement on an idea or overcome disagreement; to answer objections in advance Examples: This technique is useful when introducing a controversial new idea or policy, and it may be used effectively by a salesperson selling a new product or service 4. stories Purpose: To make a point or share a lesson; to anchor content and build reinforcement for a key point Examples: Personal stories that drive home a learning point; any of Aesop s Fables, such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf 5. Vision stories Purpose: To inspire hope or help envision a brighter future; to paint a picture of what could be Examples: A leader taking over a struggling company who creates a vision of a better future; Martin Luther King Jr. s I Have a Dream speech *Adapted from Annette Simmons Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins 1

4 How to Structure a Story In its simplest form, storytelling has three parts a beginning, a middle and an end. This format can be utilized in a number of ways, such as the past, the present and the future (here s where we were, here s where we are today, and here s where we intend to be in the future.) Another form of this three-part structure is the situation, a problem, and the resolution of the problem. Great stories, such as those found in movies and novels, however, involve some type of conflict. That conflict might be person to person, person to nature, person to organization, etc. This often adds multiple parts to the story. Minimally, you will want to have a four-part story structure that deals with the conflict and the resolution of the conflict. A great storytelling structure for business, therefore, incorporates conflict in the heart of the story and can be divided into these four parts: 1. Begin the journey Set the scene (What, when, where) Introduce the characters(who give as much detail as appropriate) 2. Set up the conflict Introduce the negative aspects that produce conflict Describe the obstacles to overcome 3. Overcome the conflict How was the conflict resolved What process was used to overcome the obstacles 4. End the journey Describe how the story ended Explain the key point(s) and challenge the audience 2

5 Stories from Life s Experiences Many speakers, presenters and trainers say that while they believe in the value of storytelling and admire those who do it well, they cannot think of any stories that they can use in their presentations. Yet all of us have life experiences from which we can draw to build stories. Famed author C.S. Lewis once said: A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. Lewis s point was that no one can argue with your personal experiences, because that is your experience. So think of examples from your life that you could translate into a story to prove a point, reinforce a key concept, or persuade your audience to take action. Listed here are multiple thought starters to get you thinking about personal experiences from your life that could be turned into stories: My best/worst vacation ever My best/worst job My best/worst boss My best/worst customer service experience My biggest accomplishment in life My biggest failure in life My most memorable experience in school My most unusual life experience My most embarrassing moment How I chose my career How I met my spouse How I overcame a challenge A memorable experience with my kids A memorable experience with my grandchildren One of the most challenging times in my life 3

6 Storytelling Worksheet Begin the journey Set the scene (What, when, where) Introduce the characters (Who give as much detail as appropriate) Set up the conflict Introduce the negative aspects that produce conflict Describe the obstacles to overcome Overcome the conflict Describe how the conflict was resolved Tell the process that was used to overcome the obstacles End the journey Describe how the story ended Explain the key point(s) and challenge the audience 4

7 Successful Storytelling Tips out your stories Rehearse your stories out loud Add when possible Paint a picture with your words Introduce a Consider becoming a character yourself Use the pause that refreshes Take the audience on an emotional roller coaster Put the in the story ( Imagine that you ) Consider ways to make the story interactive Remember Use gestures and vocal variety as well as tell Remember to use stories as powerful openers and closers 5

8 A History of Storytelling Stories (sometimes called narratives) have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation, and instilling moral values. Crucial elements of stories and storytelling include plot, characters, and narrative point of view. Through the centuries, storytellers became very important figures in a community. The ability to tell stories effectively and memorably was a very valuable skill. Stories were the way to preserve the events of the times and the emotions that accompanied them. Storytelling happened long before the written word came along. The earliest form of recorded storytelling was found in Caves in the Pyrenees Mountains in southern France. Discovered in 1940, the caves contain a series of paintings that date back to around 15,000 B.C., depicting a variety of animals and one image of a human being. When closely examined, these cave drawings tell a story of hunting practices and the rituals that accompanied them. The Australian Aboriginal people also painted symbols from stories on cave walls as a means of helping the storyteller remember the story. The story was then told using a combination of oral narrative, music, rock art, and dance. In 700 B.C., the first printed story, the epic of Gilgamesh, was created in Mesopotamia. The story was carved on stone pillars for all to see, which allowed the story to spread quickly. The Old Testament of the Bible is filled with stories that were first passed down in oral form before being written down. And in the New Testament, Jesus told stories often in the form of parables to teach his followers spiritual lessons. Some of the most often-told stories are those of Aesop s fables, such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Although written down in the 200s B.C., Aesop s fables were actually created by him and told in the 500s B.C. Oral storytelling was so powerful that people remembered Aesop s tales even 300 years later. Shakespeare was known as a great storyteller in his time, and he soon became immortalized in the stories that he wrote. He made his mark on literature forever through storytelling. In modern times, Steve Jobs became famous for his keynote presentations. Whether launching new products or making an announcement, he agonized for hours over the details of his presentations. He wove a narrative that maintained suspense and delivered a solid message, often in the form of a good story. Today, stories are being told digitally via social media Facebook, Twitter and more. Telling a story about ourselves through social media plays a crucial role, not only for the way in which others perceive us, but also, for how our own lives are preserved. Every story serves a purpose, such as preserving history, teaching lessons, envisioning a better future, or passing on moral values. Stories give us the ability to learn from past mistakes, dream about the future, and pass on important ideas to future generations. 6

9 The Structure of Stories There are many different ways to compose stories, although traditionally there are three structures that have stood the test of time. These include Aristotle s three-part structure, Freytag s five-part structure, and Campbell s 12-part structure. In his Poetics, Greek philosopher Aristotle put forth the idea that a whole is what has a beginning and middle and end. His three-part view of a plot structure was the dominant story structure for hundreds of years. In 1863, the German playwright and novelist Gustav Freytag created the 5-act dramatic structure, in which he laid out what has come to be known as Freytag s pyramid. Under Freytag s pyramid, the plot of a story consists of five parts: exposition (introduction), rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement (revelation or catastrophe). Climax Rising action Falling action Introduction Resolution Although created for drama, Freytag s analysis of dramatic structure can be applied to short stories and novels as well as stories for presentations. Here is a brief description of Freytag: 1. Exposition (introduction) The setting is established and the main characters are introduced, usually including a protagonist and an antagonist. 2. Rising action In this part, a related series of incidents builds toward the point of greatest interest. 3. Climax The climax is the turning point, which marks a change for the better or the worse in the protagonist s affairs. If the story is a comedy, things will have gone badly for the protagonist up to this point; now, the plot will begin to unfold in his or her favor. If the story is a tragedy, the opposite state of affairs will ensue, with things going from good to bad for the protagonist, often revealing the protagonist s hidden weaknesses. 7

10 4. Falling action During the falling action the conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist unravels, with the protagonist winning or losing. The falling action may contain a moment of final suspense, in which the outcome of the conflict is in doubt. 5. Dénouement (resolution, or catastrophe) The dénouement (from the French) comprises events from the end of the falling action to the actual ending scene of the drama or narrative. Conflicts are resolved, creating normalcy for the characters and a sense of catharsis or release of tension and anxiety for the reader. It is the unraveling or untying of the complexities of the plot. The comedy ends with the protagonist being better off than at the story s outset. The tragedy ends with a catastrophe where the protagonist is worse off than at the beginning. A more modern example of story structure was introduced by mythologist Joseph Campbell in the 1940s. In the course of analyzing the myths and lore of various world cultures, Campbell saw an underlying similarity throughout the stories and articulated a storyline-structure he believed to be universal for hero-myths. He called this storyline the monomyth. Here is an outline of the basic structure of the universal hero s monomyth, as Campbell discussed it in his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces: I. Departure II. Initiation The Call to Adventure The Road of Trials Refusal of the Call The Meeting with the Goddess Supernatural Aid Woman as the Temptress The Crossing of the First Threshold Atonement with the Father The Belly of the Whale Apotheosis The Ultimate Boon III. Return Refusal of the Return The Magic Flight Rescue from Without The Crossing of the Return Threshold Master of the Two Worlds Freedom to Live Not only does Campbell s structure apply to classical Hero mythology, it can be applied to modern stories as well. The Hero s Journey is evident in films such as Star Wars and Superman. It is also used in television, comic books, and even video games today. On the next page is a graph showing Campbell s structure (instead of his original seventeen steps, Campbell s work is often distilled into 12 steps today shown in three acts). 8

11 Storytelling and Learning Storytelling is a means for sharing and interpreting experiences. Human knowledge is based on stories and the human brain is constructed to understand, remember, and tell stories. Humans are storytelling organisms that think in narrative structures and most often remember facts in story form, usually much better than they remember data. Stories are effective educational tools because listeners become emotionally engaged and therefore tend to remember the information. Listening to a storyteller can create lasting personal connections, promote innovative problem solving, and foster a shared understanding regarding future ambitions. The listener can then activate knowledge and imagine new possibilities. Together a storyteller and listener can seek best practices and invent new solutions. Storytelling Organizations and Festivals Storytelling has become so popular that there are storytelling organizations based throughout the world today. One such organization started in the U.S. during the 1970s was the National Association for the Perpetuation and Preservation of Storytelling (NAPPS), now called the National Storytelling Network (NSN). NSN is a professional organization that helps to organize resources for storytellers and festival planners. Another organization is the International Storytelling Center (ISC), which annually runs the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, USA. Other countries have followed with their own storytelling organizations. Australia established storytelling guilds in the late 1970s, and today has individuals and groups across the country which meet to share their stories. The UK s Society for Storytelling was founded in

12 Storytelling Bibliography Books: Atkinson, Cliff Beyond Bullet Points, Microsoft Press, 2008 Bennis, Warren The Leader as Storyteller, Harvard Business Review, February 1996, pp Campbell, Joseph Hero with a Thousand Faces, Princeton University Press, (The classic book on storytelling.) Denning, Stephen The Leader s Guide to Storytelling, John Wiley & Sons, 2006 Dickman, Robert and Maxwell, Richard The Elements of Persuasion, Harper Collins, 2009 Duarte, Nancy Resonate, John Wiley and Sons, 2010 Gabrielle, Bruce, Speaking PowerPoint, Insights Publishing, 2010 Robinson, Grady Jim Did I Ever Tell You About the Time, McGraw Hill, 2000 Silverman, Lori Wake Me Up When the Data is Over, John Wiley & Sons, 2011 Simmons, Annette Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins, AMACOM Books, 2007 Smith, Paul Lead with a Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince and Inspire, AMACOM Books, 2012 Stevenson, Doug Story Theater Method: Strategic Storytelling in Business, Cornelia Press, 2008 Websites: Doug Stevenson s Story Theater Colorado Springs, CO USA International Storytelling Center & National Storytelling Association, W. Main Street, Jonesborough, TN USA National Speaker s Association Priest Drive, Tempe, AZ USA Toastmasters International Arroyo Vista, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA USA

13 NOTES NOTES NOTES 11

14 Your training revolution starts with a single spark. 25 TH ANNUAL Creative Training Techniques Conference Pre-Conference September 23 25, 2018 Conference September 26 28, 2018 BobPikeGroup.com/Success