When do you NOT need a story?

I got that question on Friday while I was training 80 HR trainers in our all-day Influential Storytelling workshop.  I promptly replied with an unusual thinking-out-loud-rambling-answer that “I didn’t think so.”  Then I promptly told a story why.

I was reminded when I heard this talk a few years ago when I sat in the audience craving a story to balance out the facts she was presenting. At the end, she told a story, but a wrong one (in my opinion). Her message did not resonate and in fact, it lost credibility with me.

Remember, the definition of a story is the bridge that connects what you do know and care about with what you don’t yet know and care about.

I went through several scenarios to test if there was ever a time you didn’t need one. Here’s my result:

– When you have data to share. Sure, you can use a story to help shape what the data is saying.

– When you have a procedure or how-to list. Of course, sharing a story can help someone sequence in their mind the steps you expect them to take.

– When you have an analysis or trend. It would be hard to share the trend without demonstrating one of the stories that represents the trend, right?

– When you want to introduce someone. Well, that in and of itself is a story of who they are.

– When you want to explain a rumor or challenge. It’s likely a metaphor will be needed to explain the vision to emerge from it.

I’m open, but having a hard time finding a time when a story can’t be used. It may not always be needed – but certainly, it can be desired – especially by your audience who wants to connect with your message.

By admin on 5/14/12, In Speaker Tips, storytelling, Tags ar.tic.u.la.tion, Effective Public Speaking, Presentation Training, Public Speaking Training, Ruth Milligan, storytelling