329 Hello Fellow Storyteller
The art of telling stories is something that unites us, but it is also something that can tell us so much about the person after they tell their story, especially if the story is awkward or funny, or if it’s about another person.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Karen Eber discuss the art of storytelling and how there are opportunities to collect and tell stories everyday.
Highlights
Awkward questions are unavoidable, one day you will look back on them fondly.
Actively listening to the people who are telling you their story.
If you want to learn about someone’s stories, ask questions.
Quotes
“That was my intro into storytelling that recognizing it’s not just a way to convey meaning or persuade, it’s a way to create connection, even change energy in what can be the most artificial of circumstances.”
“Through conversation we just uncover magical things.”
Mentioned in this podcast
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What will you do today that you will pay attention to and build a story out of? Maybe you’re picking up kids from school while you’re listening to this, what are you experiencing as you are waiting for your kids to come out of the school? Maybe you’re on your way home from work, or maybe you’re going for a walk with your dog, what are you paying attention to that you could turn into a story that you could collect and share to connect with people in an authentic and personal way.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Karen
Karen Eber is an author, leadership consultant, and keynote speaker. Her TED Talk on how your brain responds to stories continues to inspire millions. Her book, The Perfect Story: How to Tell Stories That Inform, Influence, and Inspire, is a Porchlight Books Bestseller and was selected as a Next Big Ideas Club must-read. It was published with HarperCollins this October.
As the CEO and Chief Storyteller of Eber Leadership Group, Karen helps Fortune 500 companies like GE and Microsoft build leaders, teams, and culture, one story at a time. She guest lectures at universities including MIT, and Stanford. She is a former Head of Culture, Learning, and Leadership Development at GE and Deloitte. Karen frequently contributes and is featured in Fast Company, Quartz, Entrepreneur, MSN, Forbes, Inc, and Business Insider.
Be sure to check out Karen’s Instagram and LinkedIn! As well as her book and her website where you will find a free download of common storytelling mistakes!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!