“Storytelling is natural and easy and entertaining and energizing. Stories help us understand complexity. Stories can enhance or change perceptions.
Stories are easy to remember. Stories are inherently non adversarial and non-hierarchical. They by-pass normal defense mechanisms and engage our feelings."
Stephen Denning, ‘The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling
Stories are easy to remember. Stories are inherently non adversarial and non-
Why ‘Leading With Storytelling’?
More and more successful leaders are realizing the value of storytelling in organisations as a communication tool to share knowledge. Traditionally, organisational communications have had a tendency to be dry and lacking in inspiration. Storytelling uses a range of techniques to engage, involve and inspire people, using language that is more authentic (everyday language as opposed to ‘textbook speak’) and a narrative form that people find interesting.
Storytelling has existed for thousands of years as a means of exchanging information and generating understanding. Similarly, it has always existed in organisations – as ‘the grapevine’. While its use as a deliberate tool for sharing knowledge is relatively recent, it is becoming a favoured technique among an increasing number of successful managers.