Storytelling

Challenge/ Selection

Being a part of a community whom get together to inspire one another to do and be better, it was  challenging for me to help contribute to that output. Although I had many life experiences that could be shared, I didn’t know how to communicate that in a way that would inspire others.  The tool  selected is ‘Storytelling’ The reason for choosing this tool was to allow the stories I had within,  accumulated from my own life experiences to be communicated in a way that would in some way  teach or inspire another person.

Application

Each week a topic is discussed within the group. A person of the group volunteers to take ownership  of the session. That individual uses a different approach when holding the session. The week I took  ownership of the session, the topic for discussion was ‘overcoming failure’. In life I have  encountered many of what some people would consider ‘failures, therefore what better way to  communicate that, then through the tool of ‘storytelling’. My story began by giving the group a  background of who I was and where I was at that point in my life, in a way that allowed the listeners  to in some way relate, allowing them to envision oneself as a younger version of themselves in a  similar situation. The story continued by explaining what the goal was, explaining steps in trying to  attain the goal. The story concluded in explaining the outcome. Although the project did go live, it  didn’t survive more than a couple of months. I asked the group to reflect on a time where they had a similar experience, giving them time to reflect on that initial feeling of ‘failure’. I continued by saying  that even though the journey did not end in what we would typically call succeeding, it wasn’t all a  failure. Years later I reflected on that project and now viewed the project as a ‘success’. I asked  myself the following questions. Did I learn something new? Did the journey open any doors, big or  small? The answer for both those questions was yes. The group where intrigued by the answer and  wanted to know more. Before continuing, I asked the group to ask themselves the same questions.  I then listed what I had learnt from the journey, listing over 25 things!  I then listed the doors it  opened; Being accepted into an exclusive master’s course at University, a course only opened to  those whom have significant entrepreneur experience.  Guided me into my dream career in IT.  Having this experience noted in my CV made my CV appeal to companies and therefore was the  main factor that gave me an opportunity of an interview. Because of this I have been apart of many  amazing technology organisations that have got me to where I am today. I ended the story with this  final quote’’ Stop looking at everything as a failure. You may have not reached the end goal, but did  you learn something along the way? Did the journey open doors, big or small? Learn to look at things and note down positives. Doing this will help in wanting to continue. And one of these days the end  goal will be reached, and you will realise that the journeys taken, once viewed as ‘failures’ had been  preparing you for this very moment.

Insight

By the conclusion of my story, the results where beyond what I could have had expected. Every  group member, now looked back at a significant life journey (Once viewed as a failure) looking at the experience with a different perspective, taking from the experience all the positives. Seeing how  storytelling had helped others view an experience in a different way made me realise how truly  powerful the tool of storytelling can be and how everyone has a story to tell, that can help someone  in one way or another.

Approach

Looking back at the experience, although the overall outcome was very much successful it could  have been even more collaborative. As an alternative approach I would combine the tool ‘story  telling ‘with the tool ‘mind mapping. If I was to use this approach with the story told above, I see it  going as followed; by telling the story listeners would look back on their own experiences (once  viewed as a failure) looking at them in a different perspective. Following this tool, I would now  introduce the tool of ‘mind mapping ‘. Group members would identify two experiences in life they  viewed as failures. By creating a mind map for these two experiences, they would be able to identify  insights and patterns they did not notice before hand. By doing this would enable the participants to  look back at the experiences in full circle.


Storytelling Challenge/ Selection Being a part of a community whom get together to inspire one another to do and be better , it was challenging for me to help contribute to that output . Although I had many life experiences that could be shared , I did n’t know how to communicate that in a way that would inspire others . The tool selected is ‘ Storytelling ’ The reason for choosing this tool was to allow the stories I had within , accumulated from my own life experiences to be communicated in a way that would in some way teach or inspire another person . Application Each week a topic is discussed within the group . A person of the group volunteers to take ownership of the session . That individual uses a different approach when holding the session . The week I took ownership of the session , the topic for discussion was ‘ overcoming failure ’ . In life I have encountered many of what some people would consider ‘ failures , therefore what better way to communicate that , then through the tool of ‘ storytelling ’ . My story began by giving the group a background of who I was and where I was at that point in my life , in a way that allowed the listeners to in some way relate , allowing them to envision oneself as a younger version of themselves in a similar situation . The story continued by explaining what the goal was , explaining steps in trying to attain the goal . The story concluded in explaining the outcome . Although the project did go live , it did n’t survive more than a couple of months . I asked the group to reflect on a time where they had a similar experience , giving them time to reflect on that initial feeling of ‘ failure ’ . I continued by saying that even though the journey did not end in what we would typically call succeeding , it was n’t all a failure . Years later I reflected on that project and now viewed the project as a ‘ success ’ . I asked myself the following questions . Did I learn something new ? Did the journey open any doors , big or small ? The answer for both those questions was yes . The group where intrigued by the answer and wanted to know more . Before continuing , I asked the group to ask themselves the same questions . I then listed what I had learnt from the journey , listing over 25 things ! I then listed the doors it opened ; Being accepted into an exclusive master ’s course at University , a course only opened to those whom have significant entrepreneur experience . Guided me into my dream career in IT . Having this experience noted in my CV made my CV appeal to companies and therefore was the main factor that gave me an opportunity of an interview . Because of this I have been apart of many amazing technology organisations that have got me to where I am today . I ended the story with this final quote ’’ Stop looking at everything as a failure . You may have not reached the end goal , but did you learn something along the way ? Did the journey open doors , big or small ? Learn to look at things and note down positives . Doing this will help in wanting to continue . And one of these days the end goal will be reached , and you will realise that the journeys taken , once viewed as ‘ failures ’ had been preparing you for this very moment . Insight By the conclusion of my story , the results where beyond what I could have had expected . Every group member , now looked back at a significant life journey ( Once viewed as a failure ) looking at the experience with a different perspective , taking from the experience all the positives . Seeing how storytelling had helped others view an experience in a different way made me realise how truly powerful the tool of storytelling can be and how everyone has a story to tell , that can help someone in one way or another . Approach Looking back at the experience , although the overall outcome was very much successful it could have been even more collaborative . As an alternative approach I would combine the tool ‘ story telling ‘ with the tool ‘ mind mapping . If I was to use this approach with the story told above , I see it going as followed ; by telling the story listeners would look back on their own experiences ( once viewed as a failure ) looking at them in a different perspective . Following this tool , I would now introduce the tool of ‘ mind mapping ‘ . Group members would identify two experiences in life they viewed as failures . By creating a mind map for these two experiences , they would be able to identify insights and patterns they did not notice before hand . By doing this would enable the participants to look back at the experiences in full circle .