Storytelling helps turn resistance into enthusiasm. But it has to be authentic and honest. So here are some tips for using storytelling to engage employees:

• Tell the story that is relevant to your employees. The best stories are the ones that resonate with the people. So, share your journey in forming that business. Why did you start, and what steps did you undertake? Explain how you’ve dealt with change and why you need (as a team) to face and embrace future changes.
• Be personal. The best stories are the ones that are told from the heart. When you share your own stories, you’re giving your employees a glimpse into who you are. This helps them build trust and rapport with you. You don’t have to appeal as the superhero who always saves the day, like the one in The Chainsmokers & Coldplay’s “Something Just Like This“. Instead, sharing how you made and learned from your mistakes would be best.
• Use visuals. People are more likely to remember stories that are told with visuals. In business, we display lengthy PowerPoint or Slides presentations with graphics, numbers, and slogans. And that’s all right for a shareholders’ conference, financial presentations or public appearances. But they don’t work well in communicating and engaging employees in a transformational initiative. Such long and data-based displays only create apprehension and even overwhelm.

Instead, use easier-to-digest visual support when communicating upcoming changes; photos, videos, or simple illustrations. Furthermore, if your story is linked to a place, take people there and show them where it all started. If that’s impossible, share the story in an informal setting, ideally not in your usual office.

• Make it interactive. Don’t just tell your stories – invite your employees to participate. Ask questions. Please encourage them to share their own stories. Refrain from imposing change by having decided all the steps of the transformational journey. Do have the strategy mapped out but involve your employees in brainstorming ideas on how to carry out specific actions.
• Make it fun. Stories should be enjoyable to listen to. If they are dull or superfluous, your employees won’t be engaged. So make sure to add some humour, excitement, or suspense. Make people smile. Suddenly a scary change can appeal as an easy problem to solve.