CONNECT! Storytelling Sessions

Storytelling services are for any group of people that work together. Any team.

This could be within:

• small work teams,
• across a whole division,
• an entire organisation,
• between stakeholders, external partners and collaborators.
• a senior leadership team.
• leaders and who they lead.
• a front-line team. Individuals who perform similar roles across different organisations.

Storytelling wellness consulting is beneficial to any group and the options of who to include are endless.

I am an award-winning storytelling facilitator, creating the right environment and preparing individuals of any team or organisation to share personal stories with the people they work or collaborate with.

Storytellers have the chance to reflect on their own experiences.

Their audience benefits from hearing them.

The process of resonating with personal stories creates connection.

If you are interested in employee engagement, team cohesion and staff performance, book a free call and let's see if this type of employee wellness consulting will give you the results you need to succeed.

Storytelling sessions last strictly for one hour.

Following an introduction and setting of ground rules, between two and four storytellers share short five-minute stories on a theme. The audience then share their responses to the stories after they have been shared in a facilitated discussion.

A storyteller is prepared well in advance of a storytelling session by me as their storytelling coach.

Each story lasts around 5 minutes. It is not a scripted story that is read out like an audio book. With some notes/prompts, a storyteller should share a story as if they were speaking to a friend over a meal or a beverage. Storytellers are provided coaching, support and guidance in crafting their short oral story.

This is an empowering process for those who volunteer for this role in the session and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.

"I have never felt so connected with my workmates, and I went home feeling elated. This was not only beneficial in our team, I feel my relationship with my family has changed for the better too."

No the stories are not fictional–the stories crafted and shared are true personal stories of someone’s life and/or work.

Participant storytellers are invited to reflect on stories related to a particular theme and will be guided by an experienced facilitator, coaching them through their storytelling journey

Common themes relate to organisational values, diversity and inclusion topics, or of-the-moment issues.

Strictly not. The purpose of storytelling sessions is to create psychologically-safe spaces where people can share their thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

Recording the sessions inevitably put people under pressure or on edge and would change the dynamic completely.

I strive to create spaces where people can express themselves without fear of repercussion or judgment. Participants are reminded NOT to record any of the storytelling services themselves.

A major part of storytelling sessions is listening.

Some of the most positive feedback I have received has been from introverts who have joined sessions online or in-person who have just listened to the stories and the subsequent discussions without saying a word.

Everyone is of course welcome to share their response and resonances to the stories shared, but listening alone is still very powerful.

Anyone can be a storyteller with the right guidance and support. And yes proportionately more extroverts will volunteer to share their story.

However, I am also very interested in supporting those who normally would not come forward to have a platform to have their voice heard by their colleagues.

Discussions about the stories can also take place in-person and online in smaller breakout groups.

I customise the storytelling services based on the dynamic of the people in your teams. The goal is always, connection and engagement.

This is a common belief. To you, your life and work experiences may seem mundane, even boring.

To someone else who has not lived your life, your narrative may be fascinating and could stimulate them to think differently.

Everyone is important.

Everyone has a story to share.

Expressing emotions at work has often been considered as unprofessional. Storytelling services give employees access to confidential, psychologically-safe, reflective spaces with boundaries where all emotions are welcome.

And yes, some of the stories can be triggering and emotional.

My role as storytelling facilitator is to provide immediate support if requested and signpost you to ongoing support as required.

This is a common fear! Speaking your truth requires bravery. Many fear the consequences of being their authentic self in a work setting.

If you are unsure, my advice is to come along to a storytelling session as a silent, but deeply listening observer.

You may find that the space created is right for you to speak. Many take time to feel comfortable before expressing themselves, and this is completely normal.

One thing I must be clear about is storytelling services are NOT fix-it sessions.

They are not Question & Answer panel sessions where the audience interrogate storytellers on their stories.

Think of this as wellness consultant services, opportunities for people to listen with the intention to understand, rather than to fix or reply with solutions.

Stories can lead to change, but this should be kickstarted outside the sessions.

All stories will be anonymised and not make reference to individuals by name.

Part of my preparation is to coach and mentor storytellers to involve and include other staff members if they feature as part of the story.

My advice is to be open, honest but always respectful of different views and perspectives.

My role as your storytelling services facilitator is to hold space for inclusive dialogue.

The best time for storytelling in the workplace is anytime!

Occasionally teams feel that if they are in a period of flux, change, or upheaval that it would be best NOT to do it.

On the contrary, storytelling in times of crisis has been proven to be very useful in normalizing emotions, uniting teams, and giving members perspective.

Use storytelling for special occasions, times of crisis, as part of learning and development – lots of possibilities!

Sharing personal stories within teams and organisations fosters authentic leadership, compassionate workplaces, and human connections: desirable workplace qualities for all generations of employees.

There is strong evidence that sharing stories is good for both physical and mental health in terms of nervous system regulation.

Yes! Storytelling in the workplace will improve staff engagement, reduce staff turnover, and create a humanised workplace.

Happier workforces and positive work cultures will lead to greater productivity and team performance. Storytelling can help reconnect colleagues as humans.

If staff engagement and connection is your goal, book a call and see how wellness consulting and storytelling services will benefit your organisation.