Storytelling is an effective tool available to leaders for influencing, teaching, and inspiring teams. Stories talk about the culture, tradition, history, and values that bind people together from every background and profession.
What is it about storytelling that makes it so effective for learning?
To begin with, narratives create connections between individuals and ideas. Good stories build familiarity and trust. Organizational experts say, “Learning is remembered for a protracted time if driven from a well-told story.” It takes listeners down the lane where they can imagine the entire narrative in their mind. In the corporate world, organizational executives narrate tales and stories as a medium to solidify connections with their team members in ways that factual assertions wrapped in bullet points or figures cannot.
Why use storytelling in learning?
Storytelling helps convey complex ideas more effectively. Stories are more interesting to hear and recite compared to simply stating data points. According to a study published by Scientific American, storytelling accounts for 65% of our everyday discussions. Numerous studies have shown that storytelling has a significant impact on human behavior. Researchers discovered that storytelling engages the human brain more than simply presenting logical arguments and facts. Storytelling is a medium that can be utilized in learning programs for a variety of purposes, including the following: • Using creative learning processes like storytelling encourages employees and managers to discuss even dullest topic with vigor. • According to a study, 88% of the employees in an organization felt that their onboarding experience was unremarkable. Incorporating storytelling in learning programs during orientation can enhance an employee’s onboarding experience. Better onboarding experiences often result in the prolonged retention of employees.
Best practices for learning through storytelling
Stories have been part of our culture for many, many years. Now, corporates are rekindling this ancient art with their learning programs to deliver more captivating experiences. Let’s talk about best practices in using storytelling for learning.
1. Use storytelling as part of a course or as the course itself. Storytelling may be the primary teaching method or one of several mediums included in a course. Case studies, branching scenarios, games, and videos—all of these could benefit from having a narrative.
2. Use the conventional storytelling approach. All stories have a common thread—they begin with an exposition that establishes the scene and introduces the characters and a conflict (issue). This is followed by a series of events that lead to the resolution (solution) and, ultimately, the outcome. In a world where the average attention span of a person is seven seconds, it is challenging to grab a learner’s attention for learning programs using traditional methods. The storytelling approach manages to hold the learner’s attention organically.
3. Include a learning aim. Without a learning purpose, storytelling is just a narrated lecture with no lessons to be learned. Begin with a tale, and then slip in a goal for learners to complete. Combine storytelling with other learning techniques like microlearning, immersive learning, and more.
4. Create mystery and suspense. As learning techniques, narratives and storytelling satisfy our natural curiosity about how an event develops, an issue is addressed, or an action is followed to accomplish a task effectively. Storytelling gives rise to interest, anticipation, and expectation, leading to involvement and participation in the learning process. This results in more meaningful learning, better retention, and faster recall.
5. Make it count. Every narrative you share should be meaningful to and resonate with the learners. Adults learn only when information is relatable, can solve a pressing business problem, or provides knowledge that they are expected to know.
6. Don’t keep them waiting. While mystery and suspense are vital elements of any narrative, disclose the core problem early on. Knowing the context will assist the learner in remaining focused and in gathering the information and knowledge needed to address the issue, therefore indirectly helping the learner achieve the learning target.
7. Use descriptive imagery. Imagery provides a unique depth to an otherwise dull explanation. The more imagery used in the tale, the simpler it is for learners to relate to the characters and plot. Visuals, colors, and senses—aural, tactile, and kinesthetic imagery—are used by authors in fiction and nonfiction. Using visuals can enhance narratives in learning resources.
The eternal charm of storytelling
For millennia, people have told stories. Ancient societies have long utilized them to pass on traditions and wisdom to future generations. The impact of stories has not diminished, and they continue to awaken a world of fantasy, adventure, and imagination. Organizations and institutions are rekindling this age-old art to create immersive and engaging learning experiences. Storytelling in learning is an excellent method for keeping learners engaged and allowing them to learn and perform better. Stories boost learner engagement and motivation, allowing trainees to complete learning objectives more quickly than in a learning course that does not incorporate storytelling. This method guarantees that the information learned is retained better. It’s no surprise that an increasing number of organizations are adopting storytelling as a powerful tool for their leaders to influence, instruct, and inspire.
