Egzamin B2 – Reading

Sizzling Storytelling

In the hypercompetitive business world, it’s becoming tougher and tougher to truly stand out. Storytelling could be the most powerful weapon in your arsenal. Get your creative juices flowing as BEM’s Jonathan Sidor explains the importance of awesome anecdotes.

It seems that storytelling is very popular now. Everyone’s talking about it. Recruiters, employers, business schools, you name it. But what is it exactly? And how can a well-crafted tale really boost your career?

Storytelling Made Simple

The good thing about storytelling is that defining it isn’t too difficult. It’s sharing narratives with others, typically with the addition of theatrical elements like embellishment and improvisation. The relating of accounts from one person to another is a fundamental part of being human. It has helped societies preserve their cultures, instil values and educate their members. It’s one of the purest forms of entertainment too.

The complicated thing about storytelling is explaining how it ties in to business. It’s all too easy to dismiss it and see it as something too trivial for a serious workplace. Let us plead our case, though, because corporations from all sorts of sectors are embracing storytelling as a routine practice that has specific benefits.

Storytelling in business isn’t anything new. Picture the archetypical boss giving his employees a pep talk. It should look an awful lot a coach speaking to his team before they take the field. Such an exchange, while short, could have a momentous impact. Workers can feel inspired and empowered to conquer the challenges of the day. Discipline, hierarchy and the importance of listening can also be reinforced.

Nowadays, storytelling in business has taken on a life of its own. This has occurred mostly for two reasons. First, individuals are appreciating the fact that all of their life experiences, good and bad, have some impact on their career path. Knowing your own stories will let you actively determine where you’re heading. If you firmly grasp where you’ve come from, then you’ll understand your strengths, weaknesses and beliefs much more clearly. Second, employers are also waking up to the notion that storytelling pays dividends. Facts and logic don’t drive behaviour all of the time – emotions must be taken into account. Companies that rely on storytelling can enjoy more creative and stimulated workers.

Storytelling at Work

To highlight the significance of storytelling in the office, let’s take a look at some specific scenarios that make its power noticeable. To kick things off, it’s worth knowing that the recruiters of today love inquiring about anecdotes that candidates may have to share. Today, dozens of candidates for high-profile jobs look equally attractive on paper. Their qualifications are top-tier and their track records are excellent. So, how does a company choose who is better? Many employers have begun asking for candidates’ stories during job interviews. A common intro is “tell me about a time when…”, used by recruiters to ask about failures, accomplishments and anything in between. If someone is asked about their strengths, what sounds like the superior answer?

Option A: “I am very confident.”

Option B: “When I graduated from university, I took a spontaneous trip to Africa and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. This has given me immense confidence and taught me to always believe in myself.”

The second answer is a good deal better. Remember, the best responses form a true connection between the candidate and the employer. Applicants should describe what makes them extraordinary and what sets them apart from the rest of the pack.

In addition, the necessity of relating meaningful narratives in networking is obvious. When someone asks “what do you do?”, thoughtlessly describing your position and key duties is pointless. You’ve got to be able to show off your expertise and talents. Show your audience why you’re intriguing and worthy of their attention. Describe your journey, but keep it short. Leave your audience interested, and they’ll be asking for more. Your story could solidify a new relationship instantly.

Furthermore, storytelling comes in handy on a daily basis around the office. If you’re a manager with a difficult decision in front of you, don’t view it as a complex problem. Turn it into a straightforward story to find a solution. If group discussions are the norm at work, use them as an opportunity to create collaborative stories. Have employees discuss past events and future ambitions to bolster the corporate culture.

Lastly, narratives can be instrumental in settling conflicts. Stories can spark a dialogue on a difficult topic and get people to express themselves with more depth and clarity. If parties convey their points of view and frustrations in the context of a story, a satisfying compromise may be more readily found.

(source: Sidor, Jonathan. “Sizzling Storytelling ”in Business English Magazine. NR 83/2021 )

Storytelling Dos and Don’ts

Coming up with a story spontaneously might sound like a piece of cake, but the process to telling a tale is a little more complicated than that. Some stories are, after all, better than others. The best stories drive a specific message home. Are you showing your empathy, intelligence or organizational skills? And who is your audience? Make sure you’re saying something that this person or group will actually want to listen to. Generic all-purpose stories are rarely panaceas – they’re lemons.

Moreover, our stories ought to be structured. They can’t just be a jumbled mix of information. Compelling stories are also often the result of repetition and preparation. The ideal story has a wellsthought- out beginning, middle and end. And we’re not just saying this because it sounds nice. Neuroeconomist Paul Zak argues that hearing a narrative with those three key elements releases hormones in our brains that are crucial in creating social bonds. Similarly, neurologist Robert Burton claims that we release dopamine after recognizing the familiar pattern of our story. This puts people in a more pleasant mood and enhances memory.

Bear in mind that storytelling does come with some pitfalls. Stories can’t be too long or detailed. If you’re working in an environment where numbers are important, don’t punish your audience with information overload. Don’t forget that there’s a time and place for everything. Does the office atmosphere encourage creativity? Is your audience open-minded and asking you challenging questions? Are they really trying to get to know who you are? If you can answer “yes” to these questions, stories will be welcomed in all likelihood. If you have any doubts, though, it may be safer to stick to more direct, informational answers.

Speak Like a Pro

The strange thing about storytelling is that it isn’t innately complicated. Some of the most honest, passionate storytellers are children. This type of imaginative communication is something that humans are programmed to do, but it’s often deemed unprofessional. As storytelling becomes more popular in the business world, it’s a good idea to hone your narration skills to get your career exactly where you want it to be.

(source: Sidor, Jonathan. “Sizzling Storytelling ”in Business English Magazine. NR 83/2021 )