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Research shows that learners gain a deeper understanding when their training is built on a story. The story presents real-life scenarios in which employees are to apply their knowledge to solve a problem or construct a plan. Here are a few examples of how to incorporate storytelling in to your training sessions.
Keep it Relevant
Storytelling is a powerful tool, but only when the story is relevant to the audience. Keep in mind what’s interesting and “real” from your employee’s perspective. You may have a very different understanding of the workplace. Try to look at the message you are sharing from their line of sight. It can make the difference between an irrelevant lesson and a story that stays with them for years to come.Provide Structure
A good story is one that is made up of a beginning, middle and end. It has an element of scene setting at the beginning, a rise and peak of the problem at hand, and the fall of the resolution at the end. It’s important to avoid thoughtless storytelling if it simply fails to get your message across. Know the story, including what the problem and the resolution will be, prior to starting the tale – otherwise your eLearning will fail to focus your audience’s attention on what they need to learn or experience. Help them come along for the ride with proper storytelling structure in place.Focus on the People
It is the people in a story that make the message important for your viewers. Without people, real or otherwise, your trainee has no real investment in the story you are trying to tell. As with many great works of fiction, draw in your reader or viewer with a sympathetic character they can relate to. Then walk them through the tale of learning you are seeking to share. The lesson will stick better because it is directly tied to a person who will experience its benefits or consequences.Drive Home the Message
Don’t lose focus on what the message is and how it relates to your viewer. Storytelling is a powerful tool, but it can sometimes add extra elements that distract from the key point. Don’t be afraid to edit or cut elements that fail to serve the purpose of the training. Remember that your goal is training, not storytelling. Use the right brush to paint the picture that will drive home the lesson and let the rest slide. Anything that is unnecessary will simply burden the story and the training, so be laser focused on what you want to achieve. Your employees will remember what the key takeaways were because the message is supported by storytelling elements, rather than allowing the story to be the foundation of the training. Want more tips on how to most effectively train your team in a cost and time-effective manner? Connect with the consultants at Clarity today for more helpful advice.
