Reflection - Storytelling

Challenge & Selection

I had to prepare a presentation for a diverse group of stakeholders regarding a commercial project I was  overseeing. I had to show them the problems and obstacles we were facing and highlight the possible  solutions. What I needed most from them was to understand their opinions and the tensions between the  different parties.

For such task, Storytelling was a natural choice. A good story was what I needed to show the pros and cons  to the audience, and work together to find a solution. This technique allowed me to craft a compelling and  robust story focusing on the audience, on the key points and messages, and build a greater connection  between stakeholders and the issue at hand. I used this approach in the past with colleagues, customers and  other groups of people. I am used at presenting a variety of topics in front of people since university. In this  case, working as a consultant, I had to present to corporate executives and other professionals for a project  focused on applying technology innovations to modernize their business. I had to find the most compelling  way to deliver the key messages and then let them discuss and find a solution.

Application

First of all, I studied the audience and tailored content and format to them. I had to be concise, precise and  clear, without being too academic nor superficial. I had clear in my mind what the objectives of the meeting  were and what we all needed to know.

Then, I set up a clear sequence of events, from the beginning to the end of the story. It had to be consistent  and logically robust. I also planned some moments of reflection and discussion to engage with the audience  and build hype. I made sure all the chapters of the story had their right span of time and that all the parties  involved had a voice in the discussions. Technology was an enabler since the presentation had to be carried  virtually, due to COVID situation.

Insight & Approach

The greatest insight I learned is that how you plan, structure and then deliver a story makes a great  difference. A compelling message presented in the most suited way connect people with the topic, and unites  them. People feel engaged and act on this shared purpose to find solutions, to change the environment in  which they live. An interesting aspect of storytelling is that it forces you to emphasize with others’  perspectives and learn from their experiences.

I discovered that two aspects are particularly relevant for a successful story: the understanding of audience’s  background and their span of attention. For this reason, next time I will spend more time investigating the  background and experiences of people involved and I will use engaging techniques and tools to drive their  engagement.

