There are three things you need when sharing personal stories to get your business message across: capability, confidence and courage. When people attend my business storytelling workshops my aim is to give them both the capability and the confidence to share stories. Hopefully this helps them with the courage to share them but ultimately it is their leap of faith, not mine.

Showing Courage

Therefore, I was really delighted to receive the following email from Brydie Bailey. I received this a few weeks after she had attended one of my workshops.

“Just wanted to let you know I shared a personal story during one of my Leadership Training courses recently (using your “template”), and I was so grateful when I got the total room falling silent at the end (which is what you said would happen if you nail it… either that or they were asleep).”

Brydie went on to say…

“One other thing that has occurred as an unexpected bonus is that I shared a story that required me to be quite vulnerable. That’s not something I actually do. I’m someone who typically will put up the ‘armour’ etc. But what I found by leaning into authenticity and vulnerability was people came up to me afterwards and thanked me for sharing the story and started telling me how they could really relate. Then they started really opening up to me, which took me by surprise.”

The Benefits

Brydie ended her email with the following statement. I think it really sums up the benefits of having the courage to share stories.

“Storytelling has truly enhanced my training, and also enhanced people’s ability to grasp a concept really quickly, which you know, that was the whole point… And I just wanted to thank you for helping me play a part in developing a skill that has affected me on more than just a capability level, but rather at a deeper human level.”

What’s more, Brydie also had the courage to share her story on a LinkedIn Post. Have a read of it and make sure you check out the reactions in the comments.

Public Workshops

If you are wanting to increase your capability and confidence around storytelling, I am happy to announce that we have just scheduled our remaining public workshops for 2021.

Business Storytelling – 26th October, 9:30am to 1pm (AEDT)

Business Storytelling – 23rd November, 10am to 1:30pm (AEDT)

We also have a session on Presenting with Impact. This virtual training focuses on how to engage and connect with your audience in a meaningful way, both onstage and online.

Presenting with Impact – 8th November, 1pm to 4:30pm (AEDT)

I will bring the skill if you bring the will.