The one thing that I hear comments about most from workshops I facilitate are the stories.
Most people like them.
Occasionally, people have issues with them and complain.
I’m sure more than a few folks think I’m full of shit. After all, how can I have so many relevant stories for the stuff I teach?
Well, stories are the glue that hold things together. The other day, I was thinking about the best non-fiction, non-professional development books I’ve ever read. Hands down, it was Alex Haley’s Roots.
In Roots, Haley takes us on a journey that ties in his family tree. The stories of his origin were passed down throughout generations, spurring him to connect all the dots. When he did, his entire life story made sense. Stories were what kept his family traditions alive.
The secret to effective learning is to tie the unfamiliar to the familiar. Base whatever the new thing is on what the learner already knows. A few years ago, a colleague of mine taught a train-the-trainer workshop to a group of technicians. For their teach-back, she encouraged them to teach something they knew very well. Most did things like mechanical processes, and one taught attendees how to skin a deer. They did well because they built on what they already knew. The workshop facilitator did well because she knew the power of tying the unfamiliar to the familiar.
So how do you find a good story? Just be on the lookout for one. My life is no more interesting than anyone else’s but when something strange happens, I always look for some sort of application. But, always be careful how you use them. I’ve discovered that no matter what you say, there might be one person who based on whatever they feel in the moment or are otherwise triggered, who will find issues with a story. Here are some other tips:
In a good story:
- The story must be true.
- You are NOT always the hero.
- Your story should NOT be controversial. Steer clear of trigger topics (these are always changing, well beyond just religion and politics) so stay aware of current events. AND, when someone does complain about something in the story, don’t get all defensive and call them a “snowflake” or other disrespectful names.
- Make them brief. A person’s attention span is short.
- ALWAYS make sure there is a learning point. Stories for the sake of a story should be saved for the bar or the campfire.
So with all of that, what’s your story going to be this week?