We’re 22 times more likely to remember a fact when it’s been wrapped in a story, according to cognitive psychologist, Jerome Bruner. Think about the last spreadsheet you saw in a presentation. When the presenter discussed the data, did they just display it or did they tell a story to give you context? If they simply showed you the spreadsheet, the information likely passed by like a blip in your day. But if the presenter told you why the numbers are the way they are and how your actions impacted them, you may be more likely to remember them after the fact.
This is because stories are memorable. Storytelling connects the reader or listener to the subject and makes them feel. If the numbers in the spreadsheet showed last month’s positive performance but didn’t explain how you got there, while it’s great for the company, it doesn’t connect you to the information. But if your manager were to explain that because of all the diligent work you’ve been putting in on your current project, you were able to increase revenue by 5% to drive the company’s bottom line, that’s going to mean a lot more.
Hearing a story evokes emotion, and whether you realize it or not, we tell and listen to stories all the time in our personal lives and at work. Most storytelling is brief and involves examples, but it’s still an immersive experience for the audience. The combination of facts and story satisfies both the creativity of our right brain and the analytical thinking of our left brain. Storytelling is a powerful tool that can be used to increase performance, drive engagement, and improve your workplace culture. Here’s why.
Storytelling evokes emotion.
Stories make people feel, which also means they can make people feel different. Telling a story can help reframe an idea by adding human consequence and emotion. Connecting people to the subject matter elevates your message and increases the likelihood that it’ll be remembered.
How you can evoke emotion through storytelling today: The next time you’re explaining something to someone, instead of just telling them the facts, tell them how they impacted them. Rather than just sharing positive feedback from customers, explain how their excellent customer service led a customer to leave a glowing review.
Storytelling changes the frame of mind.
When an employee is connected to their work and company, they behave differently. They become motivated and inspired instead of stagnant. If you can change an employee’s frame of mind, you can change how they feel about their work.
How you can change a frame of mind today: People want to know what’s in it for them. That’s not to say all people are selfish, but when presented with information, it’s first nature to assess it personally. When explaining a task to an employee or making an ask of your boss, keep in mind to share with them what they’re getting out of it. This minor detail could mean the difference between them prioritizing your task or not.
Storytelling makes you human.
Not to state the obvious, but we’re all human. We all make mistakes, we all accomplish success, and we all experience failure. Storytelling brings empathy into the workplace and provides you with the opportunity to give others a glimpse into your authentic self.
How you can bring your authenticity to work today: Nobody’s perfect. We all have our doubts and failures. Our human experiences are what make us unique. Relate these experiences to your work when sharing with others. Talking about a positive experience can boost spirits, and sharing a mistake you made can help get someone through a hard time.
