3 ways storytelling can make you a better innovation leader
Becoming an effective leader is difficult, especially inside of an innovation department. For some, they approach the journey naturally, and for others they learn through experience. Good leaders use strategy, management, and execution to support the true all-stars: their team members.
Learning how to effectively communicate is critical to leading a successful innovation team toward common goals. Storytelling can play an integral part to sharing knowledge. Surprisingly, it often gets overlooked when it comes to communication. Stories are impactful, powerful and can supercharge your leadership skills.
AARP’s Andy Miller Explains Why Story Matters
Here are 3 ways storytelling can make you a more effective leader:
1. Engages your team.
Storytelling engages your team. It draws them in, grabs their attention and helps get everyone on the same page. Engagement is key, and without it your strategy and vision will never be heard. Imagine hosting a dinner party and not telling anyone about it… who do you think is going to show up? Make the announcement extra enticing and you can expect a house full of guests.
2. Motivates and inspires your team.
Storytelling is inspiring. It can drive passion and embolden teams. Framing objectives and goals in a larger picture helps show people what they are working toward. Stories can also help give motivation. Think about coaches giving pep talks before a big game, they are trying to inspire confidence and get their team to perform at the best of their ability.
3. Helps your team overcome obstacles.
Storytelling can help navigate a team through difficult times and rough patches when it faces adversity. Giving people something they can connect to can help ease tension, stress, and loneliness. Part of storytelling is the ability to create analogies and draw connections to outside examples. Being inspiring during tough times can illuminate the imaginations of your team and give them a chance to overcome challenges with unique solutions or a different perspective. Try relating your team’s current challenge to one that a fiction or nonfiction team has overcome.
