When I present and coach on the topic of storytelling I start with the good news; humans inherently love stories.
Especially if we can learn something, relate, contribute, and see ourselves in the story.
Below is a framework for what “good” stories have in them.
To leave teaching you will need to tell stories that articulate your brand, the career path you want, and the successes you’ve already achieved. Who will you tell them to? People at networking events, recruiters, phone screenings, interviews, people you know who introduce you to people in their network…the list goes on. Short, engaging stories are a great tool to have.
Storytelling is how others will get to know the professional you. All it takes is practice, then the guts to deliver.
Even more good news?
For teachers this is something you already know how to do. You do it for your students all the time. When I was a teacher I used to LOVE to tell stories about crazy, lame, unpredictable Kings and Queens, especially Henry VIII. What a nut job he was! I used to LOVE a good Socratic seminar with my students. My students could write and present information at a deeper level after prepping and then asking a ton of questions the class period(s) before. Only difference here is that YOU are the topic of the story.
Here is what could/should be included in telling a good story.
You won’t need all of these so choose the suggestions that make your story succinct, compelling, and interesting.
- Make it relatable
- Tell the punchline first
- Keep the middle short
- Stay on topic
- Use facts, metrics to support where possible
- Consider cause and effect
- Laughter is good…
- Good timing is better
- Draw on the five senses
Then;
- PRACTICE: Record yourself, read the transcript
- KEEP PRACTICING: Become more succinct, stop with the filler words
- AND DO IT ONE MORE TIME: Gain confidence
