Story-telling is an ancient art, an art that has always had a place in learning and development. Whether the classroom is for children or adults a story paints a picture more easily than a series of PowerPoint slides.
The key to telling a great story in the adult learning environment is to connect the story with valuable learning points after the story is complete. To bring this to a finer point I will tell you a story about consensus.

THE STORY: When I was about eight years old I live in California, and in the summer I would play with two of my little friends, Jimmy and Seth. One day while we were walking along the neighborhood sidewalk we began to talk about the weather. At the time it was very sunny, and warm, there was a slight breeze and you could hear other children in playing in backyards. Jimmy said he liked it best when it was very hot and sunny. Seth said he liked it best when there was a breeze. I said I liked it best when the sun was shining and it was warm, with a breeze to make just a little bit cooler. We walked in silence for a few minutes, then we all agreed that warm with a breeze was best, we had come to consensus about the weather. This is the first ‘grown-up’ conversation I recall having as a small boy; and many more soon followed.

What happened in this story is simple, and easy to understand. How might it connect to a training session about compromise and consensus?

While you think of a story you might tell, here are guidelines to be sure it provides value to adult learners.

1. Can you tell your story in 1 to 3 minutes?
2. Does your story have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
3. Is the story easily applied to an adult learning situation?
4. Can the story be easily re-told by someone else who would like to make the same point?
5. Is the story personal enough to give it a sincere quality that drives perceived value?

If you can answer in the affirmative to these five questions you may have a story that is ready for prime-time. The key is to connect the story to the lesson you are teaching while also addressing the elements listed here. So let’s apply this story to the adult world.

ADULT LEARNING POINT: In this story three people have a different view, and the freedom to express that view is easily accessible. After each person has taken a turn speaking there is a pause for consideration. After the pause, a general consensus was reached that met in the middle of two extremes. The final outcome was an agreed upon perspective that was inclusive of all the ideas presented.

Picture your next meeting with several people, and imagine the results that are possible with a little listening, silent reflection, and compromise. After all we are in this together, when we know that we can accomplish anything.

DARE TO BE GREAT!
Your LQ Team