The Leadership Training Activity Book: 50 Exercises

(John Hannent) #1

Step 2: Present the elements of a good story.


Distribute Handout 6.1: Storytelling Checklist,and discuss the point.

Use the story you shared in Step 1 to review the elements of a good
story.

Step 3: Have participants tell their own stories.


The task for each person is to tell a story. Select from topics such
as these:
 Tell a story about a time when you led at your best. (Note: Use this
topic if you plan to use the Kouzes and Posner leadership model,
because this was the basis of their research.)

 Tell a story about the time in your life when you realized you were
competent.
 Tell a story about a time when you realized you could achieve a
milestone in your career.

 Tell a story about a time when you solved an important business
problem.
Allow participants time to select a personal story and organize the points.

Step 4: Have participants decide the order in which they will tell their stories
and then begin the storytelling session. Keep each story to
approximately five minutes.


Step 5: Discuss the importance of storytelling as a leadership skill. Try to get
each person to share what they think the value of storytelling is, using
the following trigger questions:
 How did family stories (or the lack of them) affect you as you were
growing up?


 What stories were told to you as a new employee in your
company? Did these stories change your impression of the
company? If so, how?

LAY THE GROUNDWORK, ENERGIZE PARTICIPANTS, AND THEN CLOSE^27
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