The Art, Skill and Practice of Storytelling: Factors of a Good Story - Assignment Example

The Art, Skill and Practice of Storytelling: Factors of a Good Story 0 Introduction A story is a narration of an event. It includes details, character and events woven together as one. Successful storytelling is both an art and a skill that requires preparation and practice in order to win the support of listeners. Preparation requires the storyteller to review his repertoire of stories that includes as well as other people’s stories. This enables a confident disposition in the delivery of a good story. 2.0 Factors of a Good Story According to Simmons (2006), the factors of a good story include inspiration, influence and persuasion.

Through the art of storytelling a good storyteller is able to inspire, influence and persuade listeners. These factors are discussed here. 2.1 Inspiration People do not just want information as they sometimes have the same information that you have. They want faith in the goals and success in the story that is being told to them. One of the requirements of faith is a story that sustains it and serves as a source of inspiration – a belief in the storyteller and renewed hope that the ideas put forward will fulfill the promise (Simmons 2006).

In relation to the skills required to inspire people, Conger (1991) breaks down the storytelling into two categories – framing and rhetorical crafting and further provides information on the techniques that will make storytelling and therefore leadership a success. 2.1.1 Framing Framing is the process of providing a meaningful definition of the purpose of the organization. It allows the storyteller to amplify values and beliefs (Conger 1991). The values facilitate the provision of meaning and ‘instill a sense of purpose’ while the beliefs are the ideas about the actions taken for the achievement of the desired values (Conger 1991, p. 32). 2.1.2 Rhetorical Crafting The words used in storytelling have the greatest impact as symbols rather than when taken literally.

In order to appeal to emotions and ideals, rhetorical techniques such as metaphors, analogies and rhythmic devices are adopted in order to ensure that the message has a significant impact. Metaphors indicate likeness between two things. They clarify matters, provide vivid images of a situation, represent an expression of emotions, and an interpretation of reality. 2.2 Influence Genuine influence is more than getting people to do what you want them to do (Simmons 2006). It is about people’s belief in the vision illustrated in the story and taking the baton from where the storyteller ends his leg of the race in order to carry on the task of achieving the ultimate goal.

Once the storyteller’s story becomes the listener’s story then no major effort will be required in future as they will be able to recall and tell the story to others (Simmons 2006). Six (6) types of stories are used to influence people – “who am I”; “why I am here”; “the vision”; “teaching”; “values-in-action”; and “I know what you are thinking” stories. Martin Luther King, Jr’s speech - “I Have a Dream,” told the “who am I”, the “why I am here”, and the vision stories (See King 1963).

The same was true for Barbara Jordan in her”1976 National Democratic Convention Keynote Address” (Jordan 1976). 2.3 Persuasion In order to persuade listeners, there must not only be engagement but also congruence (Simmons 2006). Congruence requires that all the channels through which communication takes place are on the same wavelength (Simmons 2006). Listeners receive information from the words used, the speakers face, how the body is positioned, hand and eye movements, timing of words and tone.

The more subtle gestures are more persuasive and vice versa. Body language in the same way as gestures helps in the activation of listeners’ imagination. Listeners tend to get carried away when they become connected to the story and by extension the storyteller. Walton (2004) indicates that in order to create persuasive stories the objective of the story needs to be determined before establishing the story line. Once the agenda of the listeners are targeted they can be called on to act. Make sure that the examples are real – that they exhibit clarity and authenticity (Walton 2004).

Walton (2004) describes this as “buy-in”. This is what gaining trust and confidence in a storyteller is. Conclusion Leaders in various organizations have managed to use stories to gain the trust and confidence of their subordinates. This belief in the vision as illustrated in the story as well as values-in-action that the story expounds have served as a motivation to their followers to not only do what is asked of them but to do more than is required and expected. They understand what is required of them and they are committed to the task.

This is what belief, trust and faith does – it moves mountains. References Clawson, J. G. (2011). Level Three Leadership: Getting below the surface. (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall Conger, J.A. (1991). Inspiring others: the language of leadership. Academy of Management Executive, 5(1), p. 31 – 45 Hansen, D.D. (2005). The Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech that Inspired a Nation, New York: HarperCollins Jordan, B. (1976). Barbara Charline Jordon: 1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address.

Retrieved from http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarajordan1976dnc.html King, M.L. (1963). I Have a Dream. Retrieved from: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm Simmons, A. (2006). The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence and Persuasion through the Art of Persuasion. 2nd ed. Cambridge, MA: Perseus Walton, M.S. (2004). Generating Buy-In: Mastering the Language. New York, USA: American Management Association