Stories and storytelling is something we associated with childhood. Adults do not tend to have time for stories. But it is slowly becoming a trend for adults and the corporate sector to embrace storytelling as a form of improving various skills. From helping them improve their communication skills to even performance management. The city is home to various story telling workshops and performances that takes place almost every other week. Talking to some corporates who have been part of storytelling session, we find out how it has helped them in their professional lives.
Praveen Sinha, an enterpreneur believes that storytelling will help people retain things that one has spoken. He says, “We had storytelling session for two reasons new initiatives coming in like performance management, learning and development, leadership. We didn’t have storytelling as a skill in HR. We have listened to stories, but we have never used it as a tool of change or communication. We used this story element in our communication on performance management systems. People will remember when you tell a story. The difficult conversations that involve a lot of emotions can be told with much ease when it is told through a story. Then such communication can happen without a lot of effort.”
Sreekanth Moni, the head of programmes at an academic institution feels those difficult conversation can take place with ease. He adds, “Corporates have good thoughts and techniques in place. We lack in weaving a story around so that people can understand what we say. Any deep concept one wants to communicate can be done through storytelling. Stories have a message or moral that leaders in the corporate can use. Storytelling is sort of a life skill that we don’t have and need to learn.”
Storytelling brings out the kid in you and helps you let go, feels HR professional, Nikitha Celly. She says, “As a HR professional, I feel, storytelling helps you let go of your inhibitions. It helps a person relate to want you want to convey. Storytelling kind of brings out the child in you which gets lost in the corporate industry and gives you a different perspective of how to look at things. Small stories can help you deal with problems you face in corporates and how to let go.”
Geeta Ramanujam, a city-based storyteller says, “In a corporate field, it all boils down to human connect. Be it customer relationship, team building or even leadership skills. It all depends on how effectively you communicate. I am totally against the idea that one needs to do aggressive marketing to sell a product. Through these sessions, I want them to move away to being just a good seller. They need to use love and the form of storytelling to sell. Most people identify with a personal identity or behavioral trait. I use stories where the characters are very patient and works around enemies and friends.”
