Imagine being told by an employee on your team that the animal you most remind him of is a Rottweiler! Awkward at the moment but makes a great story years later. And the best news is, the story has an important lesson about communication which is a topic I enjoy presenting so the great story is also a relevant story.
Think back on funny, embarrassing, heart-wrenching, inspirational and awkward moments in your life and consider what nuggets are contained in those moments that can be shared as a story during sessions you lead. Random stories confuse the audience so be clear on the take-aways of your story so the audience makes the connection from your story to the point you are making.
There is great power in storytelling, such as:
- You become relatable to your audience.
- Your vulnerability helps to establish trust with your audience.
- The audience learns from your experience.
- Stories are easier to remember as compared to data and facts.
By the way, Rottweiler’s are known for being loyal (among some of their other more well-known, slightly less attractive qualities).