“Once upon a time…” “In a galaxy far, far away…” These are probably two of the most famous sentence starters in storytelling. Interestingly enough, we might think such strategies should be reserved for best-selling books or movies, when they would do wonders for us in our personal and professional lives. Whether you’re a student applying for college or a leader trying to engage your staff, you should think about opportunities to get your point across through stories.
I’ve helped students with their college applications and have been a Harvard interviewer. What’s resonated with me most is the impact that well thought out stories have had on me. Any question or prompt could probably be answered with a sentence or two, but creative individuals are able to weave their responses through powerful stories. Among the students I’ve interviewed, the ones I still remember are the ones who captivated me with their stories. I could feel who they were as individuals through the content they were sharing. On the other hand, those students who simply answered the questions are the ones I barely remember. They were solid students, but didn’t leave a lasting impression.
This got me thinking about my staff and whether I am truly getting my messages across to them in the most effective way possible. Too often do I get caught up with detailed explanations or focusing on key points. While it’s important to be thorough, it won’t mean much if my staff forget everything I say right after the meeting. Over time, I’ve realized that I never really learned the art of storytelling, and I can imagine some of you haven’t either.
Here are a few key components of a solid story that I’ve learned over time:
- Clarity – Metaphors and analogies are great, but they need to be clearly tied to a lesson or point you are trying to make. Don’t get caught up with creating an awesome story only to end up telling one that misses the mark.
- Values – Stories should reflect who you are as an individual. It’s important to spend some time uncovering your values and determining how you could include them in the stories you tell.
- Vulnerability – Some of the best stories I’ve heard and still remember are ones that embodied something personal about the storyteller. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.
- Intentionality – While it might seem like there are some individuals who can tell a great story on the fly, the reality is that many of them have had ample practice. Practice and preparation will make help you tell a great story!
If you want to be remembered and want people to internalize your messaging, tell a story.
