introduction to storytelling for non-profits_dec2013

Storytelling for Nonprofit Organizations

An introduction

Laura Packerthinkstory.com

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

Who am I?

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

daughter

writer

storyteller

coach

step-mother

cyclist

cancersurvivor

friend

teacher

advocate

human

evolving

Who are you?

• Your name• Your organization and your role• Something that brings you joy other than work

• When you’re done, raise your hand

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

What is storytelling?

Story:ORIGIN late Middle English: Latin from Greek

historia - “finding out”

When we tell stories we are at onceconveying information and finding out more information.

performanceart

writing

talking

lying

marketing

Humans are storytelling creatures.(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

living

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

We all tell stories

The role of storytelling (everywhere and in organizations)

• Inherent, built in

• Conveys culture and history• Tough stuff• Persuasive• Transfers knowledge• Builds community• Fosters new ways of thinking• Humanizes numbers• Collaboration• Fun, entertaining, powerful, poignant, etc.

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

The role of storytelling for non-profits

• Funding• Attracting the right people• Media attention• Staff support• What else?

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

So how does storytelling work?

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

PersonalInformation vs. Story

• Of 1.6 million new U.S. cancer diagnoses in 2012, 500K+ will die

• 2nd most common cause of death in the U.S.• $226.8 billion/year

• I am a cancer survivor• You or people you love may be, too.

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

A little story theory

storyteller

audience story

When we tell stories we are at onceconveying information

and finding out more information.

Storytelling is all about building relationships

and allowing the audience room for their own experiences.

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

Storyteller’s toolkit

1. Listening

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

The role of listening

• Allows space for new creative thinking • Empower the speaker• Deepen relationships• Deeply understand others• Good listening can

be addictive

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

Competitive listening

• Listen for opening• Listen to trump• Listen to serve inequality meter• etc

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

1:1 listening

– Listener listens• Don’t interrupt• Be present• Confidentiality

– Speaker speaks• Not telling a story, just being listened to• Silence is okay• Emotion is okay

– Switch

Something you did at work that you are proud of(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

Storyteller’s toolkit

1. Listening2. Crafting the story

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

A specific example of your organization’s story

• A time when your organization had an impact– Listener listens• Don’t interrupt• Be present• Confidentiality

– Speaker speaks• Take your time, try to have a beginning, middle and end• Silence and emotions are okay

– Switch

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

Storyteller’s toolkit

1. Listening2. Crafting the story3. Telling your story for a specific audience

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

Who is your audience? Who are your stakeholders?

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

What kinds of stories do they need to hear?

What will move them to action?

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

Select a specific stakeholder…

And retell your impact story with them in mind.– Listener listens• Don’t interrupt• Be present• Confidentiality

– Speaker speaks• Not telling a story, just being listened to• Silence and emotions are okay

– Switch

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

Select a different stakeholder…

And retell your impact story with them in mind. Include several specific sensory images.– Listener listens

• Don’t interrupt• Be present• Confidentiality

– Speaker speaks• Not telling a story, just being listened to• Silence and emotions okay

– Switch(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

How do you foster better organizational storytelling?

• Listen• Ask• Practice

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

What are the stories of your organization?

• History• Mission• Values• Impact• Success AND failure

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

So where do you find stories?

• Personal experience• Stakeholders• Media• Traditional avenues• Look for:– Repeating images and emotions– Themes

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

Meaningful stories will be remembered

Meaningful storiescreate change

Questions

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer

If you’d like to learn more, please contact me.

• Thinkstory.com• Laurapacker.com• Skype: lspacker• Truestorieshonestlies.blogspot.com• Think-story.blogspot.com• @storylaura• laura@thinkstory.com• 781-526-7255

(c) 2013 Laura S. Packer