
And it will also be good for the teller, who will have practiced this valuable persuasive skill in the safe space you create for them. Storytelling could deepen your rapport with a coworker or even your boss, if you decide to ask them for stories. It could help you make a valuable connection at a networking happy hour (whether a virtual one during the pandemic or an in-person one down the road). Your attention to the teller’s story will create stronger social bonds. Try a warm but firm statement like: “I’d love to hear more, but I also want to know about…” If they seem to have an agenda that is very different from yours, or if they begin to veer toward too many tangents, redirect them. The teller is going to get something out of the process, too: a chance to connect more deeply with another human, or perhaps even a chance to talk about a cause they believe in, or an opportunity to champion their team’s accomplishments. Showing respectful, encouraging curiosity goes a long way. Stories are not cut and dry, and part of the vulnerability of telling a story comes from fear of saying more than we intend and leaving things open to interpretation.ĭon’t let any of this stop you from asking for stories, but do realize what you are asking. The story may weave in facts about other people-facts the storyteller might not feel at liberty to share. The story may involve a time the teller made a tough call.
#Storytelling activities for adults professional#
If you are asking someone to share a story in a professional or workplace setting, setting this time aside may buck workplace norms.Īnd beyond that, a story-even a business story-is personal. Sharing a story can make the teller feel vulnerable. They may also want to assess whether that purpose fits their own priorities. If the teller is busy, they may not want to make time unless they’re sure you have a clear purpose. Tell the storyteller why you want to hear their story.

And when people ask, “how did you end up in Fort Lauderdale?” she can start with an intriguing beginning-“I got kicked out of my apartment!” Reflecting on this story has renewed my colleague’s appreciation for her parents and for the support systems she has in place in Florida. The move has simplified my life, helped me find my city-person self again, and made me grateful for my support systems while connecting me with new ones. We quickly made friends in our new neighborhood, and I loved how living in the city meant living about five minutes away from many of these friends. I didn’t want to move there.īut after our apartment complex kicked us out, we did regain our footing in Fort Lauderdale. It’ll simplify your life.” I tried to picture living in the ugly South Florida city amongst space age architecture and strip malls. At that point, my dad told us: “You should move to Fort Lauderdale. But a few days into our trip, we drove an hour south to Fort Lauderdale to show them the seminary my husband was commuting to a few days a week. My parents and I had worked hard to establish an adult relationship in my early twenties, so by that time, when I was in my mid-thirties, they rarely gave unsolicited advice. We took them to all of the places we loved in our neighborhood, knowing it might be our last chance. Soon after we found out, my parents came to visit.
#Storytelling activities for adults upgrade#
Our apartment-one of the oldest, cheapest units on the property-was due for an upgrade and we were doomed to relocate. It said a new management company had purchased the property. When my husband and I had lived in our suburban apartment for about six months, we found a note Scotch-taped to our door. It answers story collecting prompt number three. So what happened to my colleague after she got kicked out of her apartment? Here’s how she told her story. Who was one of the best bosses you ever had?.

Can you tell me about a time someone supported you in a meaningful way?.

