Reflection: Storytelling Tool

Challenge & Selection

Storytelling is a versatile tool that is an essential part of every organisation. It helps them

create, build, and help people connect with their brand. Apart from organisations, every

institution, service or even an individual is defined by a story. Stories help bring people

together, unites them towards a common cause, and/or conveys a message. It targets a wider

audience and builds on emotional connect by creating a ‘cause’.

I’m a student and use storytelling often as part of group presentations in college. I study

human resource management and the course often requires us to develop or create new ideas

or strategies for business and resource management. Here is where story telling comes handy.

I use it to weave a story that helps others connect with my strategies. It helps them visualise

my idea of the plan. I however, face challenges with building a flow throughout the story. It is

difficult for me to build suspense and intrigue into the story that often fails to keep the

audience hooked. My stories often fail to create an impact and be compelling like they

should.

Application

I used the tool of storytelling in one of my presentations where I tried to explain a business

strategy by creating a story of two friends, A & B. “Both these friends studied in the same

class. However, due to an unfortunate reason, A could not appear for their final examination

tests. Instead he was asked to give all the tests at once when he returned, due to which he got

less time for preparation for all the exams equally as all other students. Coincidently, B was

passing by the room in which his friend, A, was giving the examination. The teacher stopped

B and asked him to invigilate friend A while she went to use the washroom. A breathed a sigh

of relief on seeing B in the room and immediately asked B to let him cheat. B also happened

to be the class representative and had an additional responsibility to be honest to his job”. The

audience was then asked what B should do, whether fulfil the responsibility of being a good

friend or of being true and honest to his duty? The story was used to explain how at times in

life and business, people have to make tough choices in life that seem equally important and

yet, one has to be chosen.

Insight and Approach

The storytelling technique really helped people personally connect to the situation. It built

better engagement as people listened carefully. It helped build a positive sense of energy and

passion in the room. There was keen listening and eagerness to reach the end of the story.

Further, asking an open-ended question in the end helped them to think for themselves and

indulge in better problem solving.

Through this course, I have understood how to hone my skill of storytelling. Essentials of

telling a good story include knowing your target audience and ensuring that the story makes

sense to them, a clear sequence of events, and having moments of  reflection. Further, I need

to build on connecting the different parts of the story better to weave a connection.


Reflection : Storytelling Tool Challenge & Selection Storytelling is a versatile tool that is an essential part of every organisation . It helps them create , build , and help people connect with their brand . Apart from organisations , every institution , service or even an individual is defined by a story . Stories help bring people together , unites them towards a common cause , and/or conveys a message . It targets a wider audience and builds on emotional connect by creating a ‘ cause ’ . I ’m a student and use storytelling often as part of group presentations in college . I study human resource management and the course often requires us to develop or create new ideas or strategies for business and resource management . Here is where story telling comes handy . I use it to weave a story that helps others connect with my strategies . It helps them visualise my idea of the plan . I however , face challenges with building a flow throughout the story . It is difficult for me to build suspense and intrigue into the story that often fails to keep the audience hooked . My stories often fail to create an impact and be compelling like they should . Application I used the tool of storytelling in one of my presentations where I tried to explain a business strategy by creating a story of two friends , A & B. “ Both these friends studied in the same class . However , due to an unfortunate reason , A could not appear for their final examination tests . Instead he was asked to give all the tests at once when he returned , due to which he got less time for preparation for all the exams equally as all other students . Coincidently , B was passing by the room in which his friend , A , was giving the examination . The teacher stopped B and asked him to invigilate friend A while she went to use the washroom . A breathed a sigh of relief on seeing B in the room and immediately asked B to let him cheat . B also happened to be the class representative and had an additional responsibility to be honest to his job ” . The audience was then asked what B should do , whether fulfil the responsibility of being a good friend or of being true and honest to his duty ? The story was used to explain how at times in life and business , people have to make tough choices in life that seem equally important and yet , one has to be chosen . Insight and Approach The storytelling technique really helped people personally connect to the situation . It built better engagement as people listened carefully . It helped build a positive sense of energy and passion in the room . There was keen listening and eagerness to reach the end of the story . Further , asking an open - ended question in the end helped them to think for themselves and indulge in better problem solving . Through this course , I have understood how to hone my skill of storytelling . Essentials of telling a good story include knowing your target audience and ensuring that the story makes sense to them , a clear sequence of events , and having moments of reflection . Further , I need to build on connecting the different parts of the story better to weave a connection .