Stories not bullet points!

We have all been to those 'death by a 100 slides' presentations. Roger Jones*, a geologist, turned accounts executive who is now a boardroom coach and corporate storyteller, suggests that stories can have a much more powerful and lasting impact on an audience. In my experience it is often the stories I have told in my workshops that students comment on, or remember when I meet them months later.


Should we not, therefore, be encouraging our students to develop their storytelling skills and their own stories; this could involve the reflection and articulation of a learning event, and provide a great opportunity to collate evidence of their skills, attributes and added value? There is a place for bullet points, and PowerPoint slides, but often it is the colour a story brings that intrigues and interests the listener, and could help our students stand out from the crowd.
* Pragmatic Storytelling For Leaders - for more information visit www.RogerEdwardJOnes.com


Roger suggests the following 'do's' and 'don'ts':

DO

• Ensure your story has a clear point or a message to convey.




• Be specific and detailed in your telling of the story. It helps to paont a picture the listeners it draws them in.




• Create the unexpected - people like to be surprised.




• A good story creates questions in listeners' minds and they want them answered.

DON'T

• Be afraid to keep it simple. The idea is to create a story that resonates with people.




• Never start by saying "I've got a great story to tell you". Just tell it. Let the listener judge how good it is.




• Don't overdo the "moral of the story" by lecturing people about what they should take from it. A good story enables people to interpret the message for themselves.

Source: www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/appointments