Reflection - Storytelling

Challenge and selection

I have chosen the topic of storytelling because it as the tool which is the most different to the skills I  have trained in to become a structural engineer. When learning through university and even through  on the job learning in the workforce, as a structural engineer we are thought to think analytically  and look for technical solutions. We are taught to be efficient, to get to the point and get there  quickly. We often speak in numbers, in a technical way that can be hard for non-technical people to  understand. That is exactly why I need the tool of storytelling, to stand out from the rest. The  concept makes perfect sense to someone who thinks so logically. It becomes a challenge to learn  how to tell a good story because for the last 10 years I have been learning almost the exact opposite.

The challenge comes in how to think in a storytelling mind-set. I want to be able to take my client on  a journey through the power of storytelling. The clients we consult for are typically non-technical  such as property developers or project managers for public sector organisations. They want a  consultant who can provide them a solution they need, not just one they think they want, so there  are times where I need to show the client that what they are asking for isn’t what they need.  Storytelling will be such a powerful tool in doing this as it puts words and examples around number  and figures. It will paint a picture in the mind of the listener and leave them in a positive frame of  mind about me, my company and the solution we are developing to their ultimate problem.

Application

I have recently been tasked with a new project – an apartment building development for an  established client. The client knew what he wanted and has done many similar buildings so thought  he knew what the rules allowed. As is often the case, this buildings had a few idiosyncrasies which  meant a thinking out of the box approach was required. How do you tell your client they are wrong  without offending them? I told him a story. A story of how we had encountered an issue before and  how it ended up causing problems. The problem involved having all columns in a building align  vertically. Offsetting some at lower levels means many more large beams – a heavy cost which can  be avoided by good design. Property developers don’t like spending money where they don’t have  to, so the client was appreciative of my input. We went back to work and tabled a new concept that  avoided this problem. “Brilliant” was the answer from our project manager, and instantly an element  of trust became apparent. Without being able to tell a good story, the situation could have become  more heated. I was pleased with the new skills I had learned.

Insight and Approach

The use of storytelling proved very helpful and it is an approach I intend to use again. The positive  outcome that was attained through the application of the tool speaks volumes of how valuable a  tool it is. However, I feel I want to learn more and improve my verbal communication skills for it to  really become one of my key skills. Having good verbal communication is such a key aspect of  storytelling because you need to be able to clearly articulate your story for it to have maximum  effect. Ultimately, the more storytelling becomes a part of my daily life, the easier it will become and  the better I will get at it. As such, I think it’s important to introduce it into other aspect of life, such  as relaying information to friends and family. Whilst a different context to the work environment,

the same underlying idea is there that you are trying to create a picture for others of a different  background to understand your point.

Storytelling also needs to be used as one part of the deign process, not the only part. In the example  above, we had been brought into the design later than was ideal. Therefore with the time  constraints, we weren’t able to apply a full design led thinking approach. Visualisation is part of what  we do once we have a concept, which is somewhat backward to what we should be doing. It can be  hard to change a whole company’s thinking! But a few of us who are taking the Design Led Thinking  journey are trying. I think there are many soft skills which need to be learning in conjunction with  the design led thinking approach, particularly when applied to an engineering consulting firm.  Personally, I need to learn more about the psychology of people to be able to ask the right questions  to really discover what it is that they need (not necessarily want). As an engineer, it blows my mind  to think that, but the best solutions are ones that solve the ultimate problems, not the ones that just  look good.


Reflection - Storytelling Challenge and selection I have chosen the topic of storytelling because it as the tool which is the most different to the skills I have trained in to become a structural engineer . When learning through university and even through on the job learning in the workforce , as a structural engineer we are thought to think analytically and look for technical solutions . We are taught to be efficient , to get to the point and get there quickly . We often speak in numbers , in a technical way that can be hard for non - technical people to understand . That is exactly why I need the tool of storytelling , to stand out from the rest . The concept makes perfect sense to someone who thinks so logically . It becomes a challenge to learn how to tell a good story because for the last 10 years I have been learning almost the exact opposite . The challenge comes in how to think in a storytelling mind - set . I want to be able to take my client on a journey through the power of storytelling . The clients we consult for are typically non - technical such as property developers or project managers for public sector organisations . They want a consultant who can provide them a solution they need , not just one they think they want , so there are times where I need to show the client that what they are asking for is n’t what they need . Storytelling will be such a powerful tool in doing this as it puts words and examples around number and figures . It will paint a picture in the mind of the listener and leave them in a positive frame of mind about me , my company and the solution we are developing to their ultimate problem . Application I have recently been tasked with a new project – an apartment building development for an established client . The client knew what he wanted and has done many similar buildings so thought he knew what the rules allowed . As is often the case , this buildings had a few idiosyncrasies which meant a thinking out of the box approach was required . How do you tell your client they are wrong without offending them ? I told him a story . A story of how we had encountered an issue before and how it ended up causing problems . The problem involved having all columns in a building align vertically . Offsetting some at lower levels means many more large beams – a heavy cost which can be avoided by good design . Property developers do n’t like spending money where they do n’t have to , so the client was appreciative of my input . We went back to work and tabled a new concept that avoided this problem . “ Brilliant ” was the answer from our project manager , and instantly an element of trust became apparent . Without being able to tell a good story , the situation could have become more heated . I was pleased with the new skills I had learned . Insight and Approach The use of storytelling proved very helpful and it is an approach I intend to use again . The positive outcome that was attained through the application of the tool speaks volumes of how valuable a tool it is . However , I feel I want to learn more and improve my verbal communication skills for it to really become one of my key skills . Having good verbal communication is such a key aspect of storytelling because you need to be able to clearly articulate your story for it to have maximum effect . Ultimately , the more storytelling becomes a part of my daily life , the easier it will become and the better I will get at it . As such , I think it ’s important to introduce it into other aspect of life , such as relaying information to friends and family . Whilst a different context to the work environment , the same underlying idea is there that you are trying to create a picture for others of a different background to understand your point . Storytelling also needs to be used as one part of the deign process , not the only part . In the example above , we had been brought into the design later than was ideal . Therefore with the time constraints , we were n’t able to apply a full design led thinking approach . Visualisation is part of what we do once we have a concept , which is somewhat backward to what we should be doing . It can be hard to change a whole company ’s thinking ! But a few of us who are taking the Design Led Thinking journey are trying . I think there are many soft skills which need to be learning in conjunction with the design led thinking approach , particularly when applied to an engineering consulting firm . Personally , I need to learn more about the psychology of people to be able to ask the right questions to really discover what it is that they need ( not necessarily want ) . As an engineer , it blows my mind to think that , but the best solutions are ones that solve the ultimate problems , not the ones that just look good .