Lessons from Innovation Expert Susan Lindner
Leaders are constantly seeking ways to influence, engage, and inspire their teams. While data and facts have their place, there’s a powerful tool that often goes overlooked: storytelling. Susan Lindner, a renowned expert in innovation storytelling, recently shared her insights on the transformative power of narrative in leadership and business.
Why Storytelling Matters in the Boardroom
Storytelling is more than just a way to entertain; it’s a fundamental human tool for communication and connection. As Susan points out, “This is the way the human brain receives and processes information, and we are overlooking the greatest tool that Mother Nature ever gave us.”
The Science Behind Storytelling
When we hear a story, our brains react in fascinating ways:
- Chemical reactions: Stories trigger the release of chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, which help information stick in our memories.
- Memory activation: As Susan explains, “If I’m telling you that story about chocolate cake, what’s happening in your brain when you’re listening is you are going through the memory files, opening up your filing cabinet, and looking for every time that you have had chocolate cake.”
- Emotional engagement: Stories elicit emotions, which build connections with people, topics, and causes.
The Downfall of “Just the Facts”
Many leaders fall into the trap of relying solely on data and bullet points. However, Susan warns, “Stanford’s done the research for us. We know that within six minutes of leaving that meeting room where we’re just hearing statistics, we’re just hearing the bullets, we’ve forgotten it.”
Transforming Workplaces Through Storytelling
Leaders who harness the power of storytelling can create significant changes in their organizations. Susan emphasizes, “Great movements that happen around the world are not driven by logic. They are driven by emotion and passion.
Key Questions for Impactful Storytelling
Before crafting a story, Susan recommends leaders ask themselves:
- What do you want your listener to think?
- What do you want them to feel?
- What do you want them to do?
- What do you want them to tell the next person?
Understanding Your Audience
To create a truly impactful story, leaders must understand their audience’s context and emotions. Susan advises, “Smart companies will say, okay, context before content, I get my people. Now I’m going to tell a story that resonates with the emotion in the room.”
Techniques for Powerful Storytelling
Susan shared several techniques that leaders can use to enhance their storytelling:
1. Emotional Programming
“I will go through all 10 slides and I will assign an emotion to each slide. I will know what brain chemical I intend to trigger as part of my discussion,” Susan explains. This intentional approach ensures that your presentation isn’t just informative, but emotionally engaging.
2. Clear Call to Action
Make sure you’re explicit about what you want your audience to do after hearing your story. Susan emphasizes, “Are you really clear about your game plan? I need everyone to x now.”
3. Breadcrumbing
When asking for significant changes, use the “breadcrumbing” technique. Susan explains, “Prove to them that they already have [made changes]. So get people to look backward and say, remember 10 years ago when we were selling software through consultants only? Now people are downloading our software from the web directly.”
4. Win-Win Conclusion
End your story by showing how taking action benefits both the individual and the organization. Susan advises, “Prove to me that it’s going to be great for both of us, and we’re going into this collective future together.”
Ripple Effect: Empowering Others to Tell Stories
Great leaders don’t just tell stories; they inspire others to become storytellers, too. Susan suggests, “Before people leave the meeting, have them tell a story of how what you shared impacted them.” This approach helps the message spread and take root throughout the organization.
Dispelling Storytelling Myths
Many people shy away from storytelling because they believe in certain myths. Let’s address some common misconceptions:
Myth: Stories Must Be Perfect
“It doesn’t have to be a perfect story. We just have to make sure that we’re communicating a purpose,” Susan assures. Focus on conveying your main theme clearly rather than striving for perfection.
Myth: Stories Must Be Long
Susan states, “You can tell a great story in four sentences.” She suggests including these elements:
- Context
- Struggle or crisis
- Breakthrough or aha moment
- Cascading benefit
Tip: Incorporate the Five Senses
To make your stories more engaging, Susan recommends incorporating the five senses. “We all share in an experience of the five senses. So if I say something like, ‘I wanna wash that man right out of my hair,’ I can feel so many things in just that one sentence,” she explains.
The Future of Storytelling in Business
As businesses continue to evolve and face new challenges, the importance of storytelling in leadership is only growing. Susan’s upcoming book, “Billion Dollar Storytelling,” promises to be a comprehensive guide for leaders looking to harness the power of narrative in their organizations.
The Lasting Impact of a Well-Told Story
Our world is increasingly driven by data and technology and the human element of storytelling remains a powerful tool for leaders. By mastering the art of storytelling, leaders can create deeper connections, inspire action, and drive meaningful change in their organizations.
As Susan so aptly puts it, “If you’re trying to have an impact, tell a story rather than just the facts.” By following these insights and techniques, leaders can transform their communication style and create lasting impact through the power of storytelling.
Listen to the episode: Gut + Science | Episode 237: Storytelling for Impact with Susan Lindner
Key Takeaways:
- Our brains are wired to receive and process information through storytelling.
- Emotion Trumps Logic: Great movements are driven by emotion and passion, not just logic. Harness the power of storytelling to evoke emotions, create impact, and inspire action.
- Context Before Content: Understand the emotions and feelings of your audience before crafting your story so it resonates with them on a personal level.
- Empower Others to Share: Encourage your team members to become better storytellers by providing training and opportunities to create their own stories.
