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Top 50 Reasons Why Leaders Should Embrace Storytelling

Top 50 Reasons Why Leaders Should Embrace Storytelling

Why Storytelling?
Top 50 Reasons Why Leaders Should Embrace Storytelling

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, you have a tool that empowers you to inspire, engage, and succeed in your communication: business storytelling.

Imagine a leader who can effortlessly connect with their team, convey their vision, and make complex ideas accessible.

That’s the transformative power of storytelling in action.

Welcome to the captivating world of business storytelling, where words become bridges, and narratives become the heartbeats of organisations. 

Are you ready to embark on this storytelling journey with me? Let’s dive in and explore the 50 captivating reasons why leaders should embrace storytelling.

50 Reasons Why Business Storytelling is Key for Leaders

1. Business storytelling fosters emotional connections.

2. It enhances leadership skills.

3. Storytelling builds trust and credibility.

4. It makes complex information more understandable.

5. Stories are memorable and resonate with your audience.

6. Storytelling can simplify and humanise data.

7. It sets leaders apart from the competition.

8. Stories inspire action and change.

9. Stories create a shared sense of purpose.

10. It improves communication within teams.

11. Stories can convey company values effectively.

12. It engages employees on an emotional level.

13. Stories motivate employees to achieve their best.

14. It aids in decision-making by providing context.

15. Stories help leaders communicate crises effectively.

16. It reinforces company culture and traditions.

17. Stories can attract top talent to the organisation.

18. Storytelling strengthens brand identity.

19. It communicates ethics and values to stakeholders.

20. Stories make leaders relatable and approachable.

21. Leaders can use stories to inspire innovation.

22. It enhances leadership presence and influence.

23. Stories are effective in sales and marketing.

24. Storytelling is a tool for navigating change.

25. It fosters a sense of belonging among employees.

26. Stories can simplify complex ideas and concepts.

27. It strengthens customer relationships.

28. Leaders can use stories to simplify strategy.

29. It reinforces the organisation’s vision and mission. 

30.Stories can bridge cultural gaps within teams.
31. Storytelling aids in building partnerships.
32. It encourages creative thinking.
33. Leaders can use stories to humanise their brand.
34. Storytelling enhances public speaking skills.
35. It helps leaders manage their personal brand.
36. Stories can be used to create memorable pitches.
37. Storytelling fosters inclusivity and diversity.
38. It aids in making abstract concepts more relatable.
39. Stories can simplify technical information.
40. Storytelling improves customer relationship management.
41. It enhances the effectiveness of feedback and criticism.
42. Leaders can use stories to navigate conflicts.
43. Storytelling is a tool for managing reputation.
44. It aids in setting a compelling vision for the future.
45. Stories can help leaders articulate their values.
46. Storytelling reinforces team values and ethics.
47. It fosters an organisational culture of storytelling.
48. Storytelling is a tool for fostering sustainability. 
49. Your story will be remembered.
50. Our brains love to hear stories. 

“Cultivating the art of business storytelling isn’t just about words; it’s about weaving the fabric of trust, leadership, and success, one narrative at a time.” 

Ten Recommended books on business storytelling 

 

  • “The Storyteller’s Secret: From TED Speakers to Business Legends, Why Some Ideas Catch On and Others Don’t” by Carmine Gallo
  • “Lead with a Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives That Captivate, Convince, and Inspire” by Paul Smith
  • “The Power of Story: Rewrite Your Destiny in Business and in Life” by Jim Loehr
  • “Storynomics: Story-Driven Marketing in the Post-Advertising World” by Robert McKee and Thomas Gerace
  • “The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion through the Art of Storytelling” by Annette Simmons
  • “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
  • “Storyselling for Financial Advisors: How Top Producers Sell” by Scott West and Mitch Anthony
  • “The Art of Storytelling: Easy Steps to Presenting an Unforgettable Story” by John Walsh
  • “Business Storytelling for Dummies” by Karen Dietz and Lori L. Silverman
  • “Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals” by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

How I can help you

As a professional storytelling coach, I offer 1:1 confidential coaching to help you unlock the full potential of your storytelling abilities.

With flexible delivery options that suit your schedule, we embark on a transformative journey together. We begin by harvesting your stories, uncovering the hidden gems that will resonate with your audience.

Through personalised guidance, I empower you to boost your executive presence and speak with impact when you share your story. Whether you’re preparing for a crucial presentation, honing your leadership skills, or seeking to engage and inspire others, I am here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to unleash the power of storytelling and elevate your communication to new heights.

 

Book a time to chat with me about hosting a Storytelling for Leaders workshop

Lisa Evans is a Certified Professional Speaker and Accredited Coach, TEDx speaker coach, NLP practitioner, Neuro Leadership Institute Brain-Based Results Coach, Genos© Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, author, graphic recorder, broadcaster and podcaster. Unlock your speaking potential and establish a stand-out brand with a complimentary session. Book now to become an exceptional and successful speaker.  Let Lisa Evans be your trusted partner on your path to captivating storytelling and speaking success. Start your transformational journey today! If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.
Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

Six Powerful Stories That Every Leader Must Tell: Storytelling for Leaders

Six Powerful Stories That Every Leader Must Tell: Storytelling for Leaders

In the fast-paced world of business, effective communication is paramount. As leaders, we are constantly seeking ways to captivate our audience, inspire action, and build meaningful connections.

Amidst the abundance of data and information, there is a timeless art that has the power to bring life and meaning to the numbers—business storytelling.

Let’s explore the incredible impact of storytelling in the corporate realm and how it can drive engagement, foster trust, and ignite change.

 The Essence of Storytelling for Leaders

From ancient times to modern-day, storytelling has been an integral part of human culture. We are wired to connect with stories on an emotional level, making them an engaging tool for communication.

The science behind storytelling reveals its neurological and psychological impact, as it effectively conveys complex information and leaves a lasting impression. By weaving narratives around statistics and data, storytelling bridges the gap, allowing us to add sense and meaning to information that might otherwise be dry and unengaging.

Bringing data to life

Storytelling serves as the bridge between raw data and human understanding. It transforms statistics and figures into relatable narratives, evoking emotions and creating a context that resonates with the audience. By bringing data to life through storytelling, leaders can captivate their teams, customers, and stakeholders, fostering engagement, building trust, and driving meaningful change.

It is through stories that data gains a sense of purpose, empowering individuals to connect with the information, internalise it, and act upon it.

“Within every leader lies the power to transform data into compelling narratives, and within every narrative lies the potential to inspire, engage, and drive meaningful change. Embrace the art of business storytelling, for it is through the stories we tell that we connect, create impact, and shape a future worth believing in.”

Now, let’s explore the six essential types of stories every leader should use. These narratives go beyond personal anecdotes and encompass leadership, values, change, vision, and customer impact.

By leveraging these diverse story types, leaders can effectively communicate their vision, inspire teams, and forge lasting connections. Let’s uncover the transformative power of these stories.

The Power of Business Storytelling: Transforming Data into Engaging Narratives

 

The Six Stories Every Leader Should Use

 

1. The Signature Story: Your Journey, Your Brand.

Your Signature Story encapsulates your personal journey, highlighting pivotal moments, challenges overcome, and lessons learned. It humanises your brand, allowing others to connect with your vision, purpose, and values. By sharing your authentic story, you inspire and motivate others to embrace their own potential.

2. The Leadership Story: Leading with Purpose.

The Leadership Story revolves around your leadership philosophy, your future vision, and the impact you aim to create. It emphasises core values, inspires trust, and rallies others around a common purpose. This story communicates the “why” behind your decisions and actions, inspiring your team to follow your lead.

3. The Values Story: Guiding Principles in Action.

The Values Story reinforces the guiding principles of your organisation through real-life examples. It demonstrates how these values are lived, creating a sense of belonging and unity. By weaving values into narratives, you foster an environment where individuals can align their actions with the shared mission.

4. The Change Story: Navigating Transformation.

The Change Story addresses uncertainty, resistance, and fear head-on. By sharing stories of successful change initiatives and highlighting the challenges faced, you create a narrative that reassures and inspires others to embrace change. This story fosters a culture of agility and innovation.

5. The Future Story: Painting a Compelling Vision.

The Future Story paints a vivid picture of the desired future state, aligning stakeholders’ aspirations with organisational goals. It leverages storytelling to communicate the “big picture” in a relatable and inspiring way. By sharing stories that illustrate the impact of this envisioned future, you ignite passion and motivation, driving collective action.

6. The Customer Story: Putting the Focus on those You Serve.

The Customer Story shifts the spotlight to those who benefit from your products or services. By sharing real stories of how your offerings have made a positive impact on customers’ lives, you create a compelling narrative that resonates with your target audience. This story builds trust and loyalty, showcasing the value you bring to those you serve.

Ready to Bring Your Data to Life?

As leaders, we have the opportunity to leverage storytelling to engage, inspire, and drive transformative change.

If you’re ready to harness the power of storytelling in your organisation I’d love to be your guide. Together, we can unlock the potential of storytelling, transforming the way you communicate and lead. Ready to chat? I’m ready to hear your story.

 

Ten Recommended books on business storytelling 

 

  • “The Storyteller’s Secret: From TED Speakers to Business Legends, Why Some Ideas Catch On and Others Don’t” by Carmine Gallo
  • “Lead with a Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives That Captivate, Convince, and Inspire” by Paul Smith
  • “The Power of Story: Rewrite Your Destiny in Business and in Life” by Jim Loehr
  • “Storynomics: Story-Driven Marketing in the Post-Advertising World” by Robert McKee and Thomas Gerace
  • “The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion through the Art of Storytelling” by Annette Simmons
  • “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
  • “Storyselling for Financial Advisors: How Top Producers Sell” by Scott West and Mitch Anthony
  • “The Art of Storytelling: Easy Steps to Presenting an Unforgettable Story” by John Walsh
  • “Business Storytelling for Dummies” by Karen Dietz and Lori L. Silverman
  • “Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals” by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

How I can help you

As a professional storytelling coach, I offer 1:1 confidential coaching to help you unlock the full potential of your storytelling abilities.

With flexible delivery options that suit your schedule, we embark on a transformative journey together. We begin by harvesting your stories, uncovering the hidden gems that will resonate with your audience.

Through personalised guidance, I empower you to boost your executive presence and speak with impact when you share your story. Whether you’re preparing for a crucial presentation, honing your leadership skills, or seeking to engage and inspire others, I am here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to unleash the power of storytelling and elevate your communication to new heights.

 

Book a time to chat with me about hosting a Storytelling for Leaders workshop

Lisa Evans is a Certified Professional Speaker and Accredited Coach, TEDx speaker coach, NLP practitioner, Neuro Leadership Institute Brain-Based Results Coach, Genos© Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, author, graphic recorder, broadcaster and podcaster. Unlock your speaking potential and establish a stand-out brand with a complimentary session. Book now to become an exceptional and successful speaker.  Let Lisa Evans be your trusted partner on your path to captivating storytelling and speaking success. Start your transformational journey today! If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.
Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

Unlock the Potential of Your Narrative: 4 Steps for Leaders

Unlock the Potential of Your Narrative: 4 Steps for Leaders

As a leader, the ability to craft and communicate a narrative is essential for success.

Storytelling has become an increasingly important tool for leaders who need to engage audiences, shape conversations, and ultimately drive action. Narratives can be used to inspire teams, foster collaboration, and unlock potential within organisations.

In this blog, I’ll share four key steps that leaders can take to unlock the power of their narrative and leverage it as a communication tool.

Every person has the power to craft a narrative that can capture the hearts and minds of others.

At its core, storytelling is about connecting with people on an emotional level by creating meaningful experiences they can relate to.

Crafting an engaging narrative is an invaluable asset for any individual looking to strengthen their personal brand. it is even more important when you are a leader and you need to persuade and influence others to drive action and change.

Storytelling has always been at the heart of powerful communication. When done well, storytelling can help you bring your message to life and build meaningful connections with others.

Why Storytelling?

Storytelling is a powerful tool for connecting with others, conveying emotions and information, as well as building a personal brand.

A well-crafted story that is also well-told allows you to connect with your listeners on a deeper level than words on paper or screen could ever achieve. By sharing stories that are authentic and relatable, you can create an emotional connection between yourself and your audience. This connection builds trust and credibility which can lead to increased influence in your industry.

We know that the attention of our audience is increased when they become engaged in a good story. 

The benefit of creating a narrative

As a leader, crafting a narrative about your journey can greatly benefit you in terms of influence and communication.

Telling the story of how you got to where you are today can help inspire others, build mutual respect, and create a sense of trust between you and your team. By sharing the challenges you faced along the way, as well as the lessons you learned from them, your narrative becomes not only relatable but also inspiring. Remember that it’s not only the success stories that are important,. There is a time and place for sharing a story of struggle. 

Furthermore, by framing your experiences into a cohesive narrative arc with clear themes and values, you can better communicate your leadership style to those around you. Your story becomes an embodiment of your leadership style, serving as a way of demonstrating how you choose to lead.

This kind of storytelling allows for more authentic connections with others while simultaneously demonstrating that leaders are humans too – capable of making mistakes but ultimately learning from them.

Every great story begins with a purpose.

 

Establish the Intention

 

What’s the Point of Telling Your Story?

 

Every great story has a clear purpose. Whether it’s to inspire, persuade, or connect with others, storytelling is one of the most effective ways to convey a message. However, in order for your story to have impact, you need to establish an intention and develop a strategic approach. Telling a story for the sake of it, may be entertaining and engaging, but unless there is a link between your message and the story, it can become a distraction and others may feel as though their time is being wasted. 

The first step in creating a compelling narrative is identifying your goal.

Do you want to inspire your audience? Persuade them? Connect with them on a personal level?

Once you’ve determined what you want to achieve, you can begin crafting your message. This involves choosing the right words and framing your story in a way that resonates with your target audience.

A well-told story can not only capture people’s attention but also drive action.

 

Structuring the plot

Structuring the plot is an essential aspect of creative and sharing a compelling story. The context in which your characters exist sets the scene for the challenges they will face throughout your narrative. A clear and well-defined context, helps listeners to understand what motivates you and how you deal with challenge and change.

A central challenge that drives the story forward is essential in order to maintain interest. This challenge is typically something significant enough to pose a threat to your main character, while also providing opportunities for growth and change. A well-crafted challenge can propel your character on an emotional journey that transforms them by the end of the story. Every story is evidence of a transformation. Ask yourself the question. “How is the main character different by the end of the story?”

Create Conflict and Resolution

Creating conflicting and resolution in a business story is a way to keep people wanting to know more. Conflict is the driving force behind any compelling story, and it engages by creating tension and suspense. Without conflict, your story may fall flat, leaving your audience uninterested or uninspired.

After you have set the scene and created the conflict, you can reveal the resolution. This is the part that brings closure to the story, tying up loose ends while providing valuable lessons learned.

Engaging hearts and minds with the power of storytelling in business

In today’s fast-paced world, leaders are faced with the challenge of effectively engaging their teams’ hearts and minds. It is no longer enough to simply communicate goals and objectives through dry data or bullet points. In order to truly engage employees, leaders must harness the power of storytelling in their communication efforts.

Storytelling is a powerful tool that has been used for centuries to entertain, educate, and inspire people. When applied in a business context, storytelling can be used to connect with employees on an emotional level and create a shared sense of purpose. By sharing a narrative that illustrate the company’s values and mission, leaders can help employees understand how their work contributes to something greater than themselves.

When done well, storytelling can also foster a sense of community within a team and organisation.

In conclusion, storytelling in business is a powerful tool to engage the hearts and minds of employees, customers, and stakeholders. It can humanise a brand, create an emotional connection with an audience, help explain complex topics, and support values-driven decisions. 

If you are a business leader how can you incorporate storytelling it into your communication strategy.

With some planning and practise the reward will be that you can connect with your teams on an level that no other method can match.

Ready to shape your corporate narrative?

Corporate storytelling is a powerful tool for any business presentation. It brings life to the message and engages the audience, helping them remember the key points of the presentation.

Working with a storytelling coach allows you to hone your skills and gain confidence in how to use stories in your presentations.

Hosting a bespoke Corporate Storytelling for Leaders workshop gives you the opportunity to tailor an approach that works best for you and helps you make a lasting impression on your audience. Plus, no one wants to listen to dull data with overwhelming slides. Add stories to make a difference to your public speaking effectiveness. 

 

Book a time to chat with me about hosting a Storytelling for Leaders workshop

Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Business Chat Podcast

She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations. 

If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.

Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

Corporate Storytelling. Is it right for you?

Corporate Storytelling. Is it right for you?

Storytelling is a powerful tool, but can it be effective in corporate settings? Corporate storytelling can enhance leadership communication, increase engagement, and inspire teams. With the right strategy and approach, storytelling can be an excellent way to communicate key ideas that spark action. Storytelling can make a difference when there is a need for change, innovation, or new ideas.

There are many benefits of incorporating storytelling into your presentations within the workplace, but I often meet leaders who express their concerns about telling a story as part of their presentation. These concerns may prevent leaders from enhancing their communication skills with the power of storytelling.

These are some of the common barriers that I hear from people who are yet to embrace the power of corporate storytelling.

I'm a technical expert

I’m a technical expert

I’m a technical expert and I don’t need to use stories because my presentations explain the facts. We’re not storytellers in my team, we are data-driven presenters and don’t need to do anything else. This is a comment I overheard a technical leader say to their colleague before the start of the session. I wasn’t alarmed by the comment, as storytelling is a practical skill that we need to learn by doing, and with the right environment and facilitation I am able to demonstrate the shared benefits of storytelling for leaders.

When this objection is raised directly with me, my answer is simple: you are a technical expert and a human being. Our brains process information differently, so people will not experience a message in the same way. We can use the rational brain to analyse facts and data, or the emotional brain to add sense and meaning to what we hear, see and feel.

We are all emotional beings, and the emotional brain connects people. An effective and successful leader is one who can forge connections.

I'm not creative enough

I’m not creative enough and can’t think of good story ideas. I often hear similar comments when I meet people who are hesitant about sharing a story. There is no shortage of storytelling material from our day to day lives. This comment can stem from feeling like you don’t have anything of significant interest to others to share, or you are not sure where to find stories or how to put a story together.

The ideal stories to tell in the corporate setting are those stories unique to you, and a story that demonstrates a change in thinking, actions and behavior. If you tell a story about your own experience, it sets you apart from everyone else. That’s why sharing a story can be powerful and memorable because no one else has that same experience, and if they share a similar experience, they will tell it differently.

Your stories don’t have to be of dragon-slaying proportions. But they do need to be authentic and shared from a place of warmth and vulnerability.

If I open up, others may judge me

If I tell a story at work and share my feelings and struggles, my colleagues may see me as weak or needy. I might be seen as someone not coping with the work environment, making me feel exposed. I don’t want to share personal stuff at work. I have heard many variations of these concerns from people who are unfamiliar with storytelling in the corporate setting.

For some people when they hear the term personal storytelling, they think that means sharing deep stuff. There is no need to get real deep and personal, we don’t want to over-share as that feels uncomfortable for ourselves as well as others, but we must be human, open and natural. We need to share our stories, and we need to listen to each other’s stories if we want to be an authentic and people-centred leader.

One of the benefits in opening up by sharing a story about yourself as a leader is that you can show that you are human. It can build trust between the presenter and the audience, and trust is vital in leadership; if people don’t trust you, they will not follow you. Sharing stories is an effective way to build rapport and connection with others including your team, your customers and the community. This can help to get buy-in and support for your ideas.

Book a time to chat with me about hosting a Storytelling for Leaders workshop

I don't know where to start as I have so many stories

How do I start?

A good place to start is to consider who will be in the audience. Your stories should be relevant, meaningful and memorable to them. What is the story you want to tell? What are you trying to communicate? How do you want to make an impact on the audience? How will they respond? What action do you want them to take? Before you begin to search for a story, be clear on the objective of your presentation and how you would like it to land.

You may not be an expert initially, but everyone has a story to tell. Begin by crafting your signature story. A signature story highlights who you are, what you stand for and believe in (your values), and why it matters.

By taking notes in your Story Bank (more information about this later) you will gain a collection of ideas that you can use later.

I tend to ramble on when I share a story

Many leaders feel so comfortable behind a technical slide deck, or presenting using data, that they find it hard to be clear and concise when telling a story.

Practice! Practice telling your stories out loud. Practice saying them with energy and conviction. Practise until you can deliver them in two minutes or less. If your story is longer than a few minutes, then edit it by removing any non essential information.

There are different story frameworks and models that can be used, but for starters and to keep it simple, create a timeline with a beginning, middle and end.

Introduce the main character (this could be you, or maybe a customer), and identify the challenge facing the main character, As the story unravels you will uncover the turning point leading to the transformation. The end of the story contains the lesson, point or action that you want the audience to consider. If you want help story call

Others don't have time to listen to stories

They have work to do and they want the facts and the details. This is a common misconception. When you share a story, you give people a reason to care. More importantly, stories can help your team connect and create a sense of belonging. A high performing team feels part of something bigger than themselves.

When you begin with a story, you are inviting people to connect with you and to seek their buy in. When they care about your message they are more likely to believe in you. A good story that is well told, should not take up much of people’s time.

A poorly crafted story that has no plot, no point, or is delivered in a monotonous voice, will feel like it’s too long regardless. If you learn to tell your story well and you can practise sharing a story in a natural and engaging way, trust me, people will have time to listen.

How to get started with corporate storytelling

How do you get people to tell their stories? Provide the space. Suggest a corporate story share and invite a skilled storytelling coach and facilitator into your team to help you become masterful at storytelling

What are the benefits of hosting a corporate storytelling workshop facilitated by an experienced coach?

We will create a safe and encouraging space for people to share their stories. I have numerous prompts, tools and resources to help people unlock their storytelling potential. 

Where to find story material

Start a Story Bank. This is where you can jot down everyday experiences that may be used for storytelling material. A pen and notebook, index cards, or a digital method works well. The purpose is to gather your stories (I call them Story Sparks at this early stage), and you build a repertoire to draw on when you want to. Your stories don’t have to be of dragon-slaying proportions. But they do need to be authentic and come from a place of warmth and vulnerability.

Organise your stories in a way you can easily find—perhaps by theme, genre, or life stage. Use whatever works for you. Just make it easy and accessible to find. Be on the lookout for stories in your daily life. A fishing trip. A visit to the local hardware store. Deciding where to go on holiday, or an outstanding customer experience, are all ideas for story material. Once you have a Story Bank, it’s a matter of finding the right story that fits the point you want to make.

Once you have made some deposits, your story bank will become a source of inspiration; next time you want to illustrate a point, share a lesson or demonstrate strength or value, you can find a story to suit this purpose. And you will be more likely to find one that suits from your story bank than a random story from memory. Another tip that has worked well for me is to use keywords and hashtags so that my stories are easy to find within the note taking app that I use.

The only way to improve your storytelling skills is to practise telling stories. Rather than telling stories in a rigid format, tell them as they come to you. This will help you relax and be natural when you tell the story.

Being a story listener is the first step in becoming a master storyteller

Sharing our stories helps us understand each other better and builds bridges between us. The best work environments are those where people feel safe, listened to, supported and valued. Stories are a perfect medium for building connection and understanding.

The power of storytelling is not about being overly creative, emotional or vulnerable. It’s about using a story to engage an audience and get them to feel something. When people experience emotion when they hear a story, they are more likely to remember it. They are also more likely to change their behaviour or attitude. The best data is useless if it doesn’t reach your audience.

Ready to tell your business stories?

Corporate storytelling is a powerful tool for any business presentation. It brings life to the message and engages the audience, helping them remember the key points of the presentation. Working with a storytelling coach allows you to hone your skills and gain confidence in how to use stories in your presentations. Booking a bespoke Corporate Storytelling for Leaders workshop gives you the opportunity to tailor an approach that works best for you and helps you make a lasting impression on your audience

 

Book a time to chat with me about hosting a Storytelling for Leaders workshop

Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Business Chat Podcast

She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations. 

If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.

Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

Storytelling Live Event Fringe World 2023

Storytelling Live Event Fringe World 2023

Live Storytelling Stories From The Heart returning to Fringe World 2023

It’s exciting to bring Stories From The Heart live storytelling to Fringe Perth in 2023. 

 This will be the fourth year that I have hosted an event in the Fringe World Perth program. You can grab your tickets to a show here. 

The theme for 2023 is “I wasn’t expecting that!”.

Each storyteller will have seven minutes to share their true tale based on the theme. 

Some of our storytellers are veterans at the craft, we also have some professional performers, and some tellers who are fairly new to the stage. Our events are fun, inclusive and encouraging. It was tough during the pandemic for local acts and performers. We had to deal with shows cancelled at very short notice, and for many artists and venues their losses were huge. It will be so good to return to Fringe, and enjoy the crowds – with any protocols in place! Please support local artists, performers and venues.

Stories can transport us to another place and time. Come on a journey with us as we share fun, quirky and moving tales. 

There will be three shows only, and the dates are Sunday 29 January, Sunday 5 February and the final show on Sunday 12 February. The event begins at 5 pm and runs for 60 minutes. 

The Rubix in Murray Street Perth, is an ideal venue for a Fringe show. Close to transport and with parking options nearby the event is easy to get to. You can grab a drink from the cash bar as you head in to see the show. 

 See you at Fringe World in 2023.

  

Lisa-Evans-live-storytelling-fringe

If you are based in Australia, you may be interested in hosting a facilitated storytelling for leader’s workshop. I have delivered these workshops to groups worldwide, both in-person and online. There is a format to suit every group, from two hours to two days. Click the button below, to find out how you can get ahead in your communication using the power of storytelling. 

Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Business Chat Podcast

She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations. 

If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.

Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker

Why business storytelling is a critical skill for leaders

Why business storytelling is a critical skill for leaders

“Business Storytelling is by far the most underrated skill.” Gary Vaynerchuk

We live in a world of distraction, interruption, and information overload. So how do you sound different to your competitors rather than be part of the sea of sameness? 

The key is to get clarity on your narrative. Once you get comfortable with sharing your stories, you will have a unique and compelling narrative and a way of sparking interest, inspiring change, and getting buy-in to your ideas.

According to David Hutchens, author of Story Dash, story is your most human language that is at the very heart of your audience.

It doesn’t have to be complex. When you put a story to work, it does the heavy lifting. Your job as a storyteller is to help people feel more connected. 

The storytelling leader brings more of who they are to their leadership, and that’s a good thing. 

You may think that storytelling won’t work for your type of industry; you may even be thinking that storytelling is too warm and fuzzy for your communication style. Please think again. The truth is, if you are not using the power of storytelling as part of your message, you will not get the reach and will fail to inspire your audience.  

Once you get comfortable choosing the right story to fit an occasion and learn to tell that story well, you will notice the difference. Storytelling is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

There are plenty of people who show reluctance at first, and this is often due to fear. Fear of being vulnerable, not using slides or notes, and ‘getting it wrong’. I understand this. It’s natural to feel this way when you rely on data or PowerPoint slides to get your message across.

Over 80% of my clients and the companies I partner with are in technical industries. Companies who invest in their leaders to develop the skill of business storytelling get results. I’d love to show you how the ROI of storytelling training will work for your organisation. 

Business Storytelling is a learned skill and a skill worth learning

If you are ready to influence through story and you’d like to find out how an accredited coach can fast track your journey then, let’s chat

Here’s the thing. You are a storyteller. You are already telling stories over dinner, round the dinner table and with friends. You do this without thinking about tit. It’s a natural thing to do, and ou already have most of the skills you need.
My role as a business storytelling consultant and coach, is to help you take what you already have and make it work for you. 

A great way to empower your team to boost their communication skills with business storytelling is to host a Storytelling for Leaders Workshop.  I want to share a quick word of warning. Stories are precious and need to be treated with care. There is always a right story, for the right time and place. Not any story will do, particularly in the business setting. Getting the balance right is key to a successful story strategy.

A storytelling workshop should always be conducted by a skilled facilitator, who understands how to find, refine and deliver stories, and also knows the importance of holding space.

Setting the environment, creating shared expectations, allowing each voice to be heard, and holding space to listen to others are critical elements in my facilitated sessions. 

It is always challenge by choice. No one is forced to share if they don’t want to. I will never ask people to share stories of trauma, hurt or shame. Storytelling is not therapy. 

For 20+ years, I worked as a health professional, so you are in safe hands. My workshops are fun, challenging, engaging and always safe and inclusive. 

What type of Business Storytelling workshop is best for you?

A customised workshop is typically one day in duration. Face to face is ideal as storytelling is a time to connect and create energy and ideas in the room. Sessions can be delivered via live online webinars. I am a Certified Virtual Presenter, so I have a studio set up to enhance the experience. If online is your preferred method, then I suggest breaking the session into 2 x half days.

Or perhaps you prefer to learn in a blended environment or via 1:1 storytelling coaching. I’d be happy to tailor a solution that meets your learning needs. 

The sessions are tailored according to the number of people attending. I have countless story activities, games, challenges and prompts. Some activities work better smaller groups of 8-12, and others work well for larger groups. Ready to chat about your needs?  let’s chat.

What type of stories matter for your business? I chat to Sarah Santacroce, host of the Humane Marketing podcast about this, 
If you are keen to know why I left my 20+ year career as a midwife to turn to storytelling, then you can listen to this chat for In The Game Podcast.

  

Public speaking coach - Lisa Evans Perth Speaker

 

Why tell stories?

There are plenty of reasons why adding stories to your communication will make a positive difference. Here are six reasons why stories work.  

1 Humans are hardwired for story.

2 Stories inspire change.

3 Story is a meaning-making tool.

4 Stories inspire connection and collaboration.

5  People are time poor. Stories cut through.

6 Compelling stories are ‘sticky’ and easy to remember. 

“Stories are how we remember; we tend to forget lists and bullet points.” —Robert McKee, Storynomics

 

If you are based in Australia, you may be interested in hosting a facilitated storytelling for leader’s workshop. I have delivered these workshops to groups worldwide, both in-person and online. There is a format to suit every group, from two hours to two days. Click the button below, to find out how you can get ahead in your communication using the power of storytelling. 

Lisa Evans helps professionals to craft compelling business stories and become exceptional speakers. Lisa is a certified speaker coach, TEDx speaker coach, four times author, NLP practitioner, graphic recorder and visual storyteller, improvisational actor, and host of the Business Chat Podcast

She has coached thousands of leaders across a range of industries, including resources, banking, finance, engineering, retail and sales as well as not-for-profit and community associations. 

If you wish to take advantage of a complimentary session in order to chat about how you can become an exceptional and successful speaker with a stand-out brand, then use this link to book a time to chat. Download my e-book – How to Build Confidence and Overcome Nervousness.

Lisa Evans

Professional Speaker