Your team is feeling disconnected at work. How can you use storytelling to re-engage them?

To build on some of the excellent responses here notably by Havilah Towers Perkins - when a team is under pressure there can be a tendency to drive for perfection, to confirm that everything is ok and on track. At this point as a leader, sharing stories of things that have gone well despite not everything being perfect, or how teams have turned around challenges and achieved success, can help to diffuse some of the pressure and remind everyone that we are working towards a shared goal, with shared aspirations. This approach, combined with assuming that everyone is doing their best and trying to drive to success, can help to re-engage enthusiasm and positivity.

I suggest beginning with a survey to gauge team morale and sentiments before launching any storytelling campaign. Ensuring that your stories resonate with the current emotions will prevent wasting resources and time. 🤩

As a leader, it's your job to know and understand the nuances of your team. Here are a couple ways storytelling can be impactful tool for leaders who want to give their team a boost when things are hard: 1) Capture the parts of your role that are unique or interesting you can share - incorporate sharing these stories with your team meetings. It humanizes you, the work and gives your team an inside look at areas of the business they may not currently have access to. It also helps educate the team on the business! 2) Engage in your team's stories - ask questions! Questions are underutilized by leaders (the pressure to have the answers is real) but instead, ask so you can learn from your team. Curiosity creates connections & new ideas!

Two practical approaches in this case could be Celebrating Milestones: We could use storytelling to celebrate company milestones or individual achievements. I would double down on individual milestones more; this also helps employees see the impact of their work in the bigger picture. Create Relatability: Craft narratives around everyday experiences or shared goals to build a sense of community. Employee-generated content, such as their own stories about a specific experience within the company, can foster a stronger connection and a more cohesive team culture.

In my experience, I hold frequent one-on-one and team meetings to ensure the team’s concerns and feedback are heard. During these meetings, I share motivational stories to inspire them and assure them that they have someone to turn to with their problems. I also take strategic steps to help them overcome challenges and provide opportunities for upskilling.

When crafting a story to re-engage your team, focus on creating a narrative that is relatable and resonates with them. Use a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end to effectively convey your message. Incorporate key elements such as characters, conflict, and resolution to make the story engaging and memorable. Tailor the story to address the specific issues and dynamics of your team. This ensures that the narrative is relevant and impactful, addressing the team's unique challenges and opportunities. By doing so, you can foster a deeper connection and a sense of shared purpose within the team.

Running internal communications channels I noticed on many occasions that people love reading or seeing stories about themselves, their colleagues, or someone they know. It may sound strange that they would want and positively react to content about a person sitting next to them in the open space, but they do. So it is vitally important to build your internal communications storytelling not only on big bosses in shining armor, big corporate events, and well-known brands but on rank-and-file people who make up this particular company and who might have stories and experiences both personal and professional that will hook your internal audiences tighter than you might ever expect.

Antes de pensar en una historia para compartir, realiza un estudio cualitativo para comprender mejor los pensamientos y motivaciones de tu equipo. Organiza conversaciones uno a uno para identificar patrones y temas comunes. Este enfoque personalizado no solo te permitirá recopilar información valiosa, sino que también hará que los miembros del equipo se sientan escuchados y valorados.

Effective storytelling begins by anchoring tales in your team's familiar context. Start with relatable characters and weave a plot mirroring their challenges and triumphs. Encourage team members to see themselves in these narratives, reinforcing their pivotal roles. Use anecdotes, visuals, and interactive sessions to deepen engagement and foster a shared sense of purpose.

O storytelling é uma maneira eficaz de conectar pessoas, criar empatia e fortalecer laços, e uma experiência que tive e foi bem interessante trata-se da criação de tradições e rituais; isto é: utilizar histórias para criar tradições, como "histórias da semana" onde um membro da equipe compartilha algo pessoal ou profissional que foi marcante. Isso pode ser feito em reuniões virtuais, newsletters internas ou canais de comunicação da empresa. Vamos contar mais histórias e construir juntos um ambiente de trabalho mais engajado e conectado! 🚀

I'd recommend starting doing a survey to understand team morale and sentiments prior to working on any particular storytelling campaign. If your stories don't align with the emotions being felt you'll be wasting resources and time.

Con la información recopilada de tu análisis cualitativo del equipo, selecciona una historia que resuene con los patrones identificados. La historia debe reflejar momentos difíciles que has enfrentado y cómo los superaste. Es esencial que la historia muestre vulnerabilidad y autenticidad, ya que esto humaniza tu experiencia y la hace más relatable para el equipo. -Asegúrate de estructurar la historia con picos emocionales. Incluye momentos de risas, frustración, alivio y las inspiraciones que te ayudaron a seguir adelante. Estos picos emocionales capturarán la atención de tus colaboradores y facilitarán una conexión emocional con el relato.

Harnessing emotional engagement through storytelling involves selecting narratives that resonate with your team's emotions. Encourage open sharing of personal experiences related to challenges or triumphs. Use diverse formats like video testimonials or interactive workshops to deepen connections. This approach fosters empathy and strengthens team cohesion, driving greater commitment and productivity.

Stories that incorporate company values can be powerful tools for team cohesion. To effectively weave values into narratives, start by identifying key moments where these values were exemplified. Use these stories in onboarding sessions, team meetings, or even casual conversations to illustrate how values guide actions. Encourage team members to share their own stories, fostering a culture where everyone contributes to and learns from the shared values narrative.

Después de compartir tu historia, organiza actividades de engagement que refuercen los mensajes clave. Estas actividades pueden ser talleres de trabajo en equipo, sesiones de brainstorming o actividades recreativas que promuevan la cohesión y el espíritu de equipo. Contada tu historia y de haber llevado a cabo las actividades de engagement, crea un espacio donde el equipo pueda compartir sus pensamientos y experiencias. Esto puede ser a través de reuniones de equipo, encuestas anónimas o conversaciones individuales. La retroalimentación es crucial para ajustar las estrategias y asegurar que todos se sientan involucrados.

Encouraging team storytelling can deepen bonds and foster empathy. Start by setting aside regular meetings for sharing personal anecdotes related to work challenges or successes. Utilize digital platforms for remote teams, ensuring inclusivity. Rotate facilitators to diversify leadership and perspectives, enhancing team cohesion and morale.

When people feel detached, sharing stories that reflect your personal experiences is a powerful way to develop connections and foster engagement within your team. Relating stories about challenges faced and successes earned will resonate with them and show your vulnerability and authenticity—both of which will make you more relatable and build trust. Your team will feel more comfortable sharing their own stories, too, and will appreciate feeling seen and heard. #InternalCommunications #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #Storytelling #EmployeeEngagement