I’ve been surprised enough times to cause me to constantly remind our executive clients that they are teachers. Last week we asked the question, How will your people know what to do? The unconscious reason I believe leaders tend to forget this important role is that there is an assumption that people should just know. “After all, no one taught me. Let’s see what they can do on their own.”

Can we really afford the time for trial and error?

The breakdown in logic here is that we can’t assume that everyone has the same capabilities as the leader. They may not have the resources or experience.

The best way I know for a leader to teach is by strategically telling a story at the right time that teaches a lesson and moves the team forward. The story may be about a client engagement, a past failure or success, or a funny, self-deprecating anecdote that teaches a timely lesson and reinforces the values and ethic the leader wants to reinforce.

Why stories as a teaching vehicle?

• Stories capture attention – touch the emotions and engage the audience and they become part of the story.

• Stories can be repeated – with repetition your work is multiplied.

• Stories deal with how to think - bullets deal with what to do in this instance.

• Stories are practical – being able to see the application of an idea via the story makes the lesson much more practical.

Some Storytelling Hints

• Appeal to the masses. Your stories should not require specialized intellect. Common happenings appeal.

• Don’t ramble. Short, sweet, and – most importantly – to the point are requirements.

• Create engaging dialogue. A good story is a journey that involves the listeners.

• Define identity. The biggest question for most is, how do I fit in? Allow the story to answer that question and draw parallels between the characters in your story and the audience.

• Deliver the point. Explain why you told the story and provide the context.

Steve Denning author of The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative provides a table that lays out the Eight Different Narrative Patterns that describes the different types of stories for eight different leadership situations.

Look for opportunities to tell a story this week. Try it. Then, polish that story for future use. Develop a repertoire of stories that grows with you throughout your career.

Photo by jurvetson

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