Storytelling: Underrated and underused!
Trust me – storytelling skills deserve a spot in your L&D plan…
When people talk about ‘soft skills’, they tend to think of things like active listening, problem solving, emotional intelligence.
But there’s something that rarely gets mentioned:
Storytelling
I don’t mean “once upon a time, in a land far, far away” stories! I mean storytelling that helps you win over a sceptical client, explain a complex project, or help navigate your team through change.
Storytelling that can help you translate data, make a sale or build trust.
Storytelling that becomes a superpower!
Ok yes, I’m starting to sound a little cheesy now – so what am I talking about?
Why do we need storytelling at work?
Storytelling at work means knowing how to structure your message so it lands and sticks. It’s about giving meaning to facts, making information human, and creating a sense of connection or momentum.
It can be as simple as:
Framing a piece of feedback with a real example
Using a short anecdote to explain a tricky concept
Presenting data and results in a way that highlights the true ROI behind the numbers
Building a narrative arc into your project updates or proposals
Good storytelling doesn’t mean being dramatic or overly polished, it’s just about getting your message across in the right way.
And you don’t need to be an author to learn how to craft a good story!
Why it matters
In a well-known Stanford lecture on persuasive communication, Professor Jennifer Aaker shared that stories can be up to 22 times more memorable than facts alone. Because we’re wired to connect with people, not just information.
(It’s a stat that’s stuck around for a reason — you can watch her explain it here.)
Stories help us navigate uncertainty, make sense of change, and empathise with others. So whether you’re leading a team, presenting a plan, or trying to get sign-off for something new, storytelling gives you a serious edge.
When will you use storytelling?
It’s all well and good me sharing all this, but when will you need to use this skill? Well, it shows up in more places than you’d think:
Managers giving feedback or motivating their teams.
Project leads sharing progress or pitching new ideas.
Salespeople building trust and value with clients.
HR and L&D teams rolling out change or new learning initiatives.
Internal comms making values or strategy feel real.
Anyone trying to get people to listen, understand, or care about something!
You don’t need to be a “natural storyteller”! You just need to know a few simple structures, and where to use them.
Of course, we’ve been working on something behind the scenes…
New course launch
You may have guessed, we’ve just launched our Storytelling course!
It’s designed for everyday work, not stage performances. It’s all about learning to cut through noise, build connection, and drive action.
Want to know more about the course?
👉 Click here
