When I used to tell corporate leaders about the value of storytelling for their culture and success they would tell me I was ridiculous.<\/p>\n
Now they beg me to tell them how to use storytelling to make their culture so good they can\u2019t be ignored. How a little time changes things!<\/p>\n
I had a manger who would pep talk me before I went to a client training day. He\u2019d say, \u2018Remember. No fluff Colin. None of your stories. Business people want meat; meaningful stuff\u2014stuff they can use.’<\/em><\/p>\n My first job in business was selling TV advertising. I tried to get clients to tell stories about customer happiness, about their values, about their real appeal, about making emotional connection. \u2018Nah!\u2019 <\/em>they\u2019d say. \u2018Just run this week\u2019s discount prices. People are only interested in the cheapest price!’<\/em><\/p>\n They used to say, ‘There is definitely no place for storytelling in a day-to-day workplace environment.’<\/em><\/p>\n ‘We are not kids in kindergarten.\u2019 <\/p>\n Pardon me? Your workplace is already full of stories. It is already a culture built on narratives, anecdotes and tales.<\/p>\n Really?<\/p>\n Yes.<\/p>\n Tomorrow if you listen in the lunchroom or at the coffee\/smoko break to your colleagues\u2019 conversations there will be nothing but stories;<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You will be astounded at how storytelling is already alive and well in your workplace.<\/p>\nJust the price<\/h4>\n
Not in my workplace<\/h4>\n
\n‘Work is serious.\u2019
\n‘Our people will revolt if I start telling them stories.\u2019
\n‘They are serious about their work and their time.\u2019
\n‘At Friday drinks or the end of year wrap-up, maybe, but not in the office or the factory.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\nSAY WHA \u2026?<\/h3>\n
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> what their kid told them about the teacher,<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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> what they told the parking inspector he could do with his tyre chalk,<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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> what they thought of the people on ‘Married at First Sight’,<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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> a stupid thing a customer complained about,<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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> what\u2019s wrong with the government,<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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> the last wacky thing Donald Trump said,<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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> how well their team played on the weekend,<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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> how the other team had the umpires in their pocket,<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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> what happened on their ski trip,<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
> how fast the latest Lamborghini can go from 0 to 100Kph<\/ul>\n
KIDNAP IT<\/h3>\n
It’s happening under your nose.<\/h4>\n