Why Telling A Tale About Your Granny May Help You Make Some Money

As a storytelling facilitator, I help people create and tell their stories. But the best part? 

At the end of every workshop, I get to hear them.

There’s something magical about being in a room full of smart, thoughtful people telling stories. Each one offers a fresh perspective or a new way of seeing the world. I might walk in expecting to teach, but I always leave having learned something.

And here’s the thing—storytelling isn’t just an art; it’s a business skill.

When leaders tell compelling stories:

• sales teams connect with customers on a deeper level

• productivity increases because employees feel a stronger sense of purpose

• workplace culture improves because stories build empathy and trust

  
  

People remember stories far more than facts or data.

A story about your granny’s love and guidance and how it defined your life can have a huge impact.

Your granny is a lot more interesting than just the facts.  We want to picture her. We want to smell the cookies. We want to feel that granny love.

And, the more stories I hear, the better I get at storytelling myself. I pick up on emotions and unexpected turns of phrase that make a story land. I watch how different people react and what sparks connection.

Storytelling isn’t a solo act—it’s a shared experience.

And every workshop reminds me that the best way to grow as a storyteller is to listen and let myself be inspired. Because great storytelling doesn’t just make a difference in a workshop—it can transform your businesses if you decide to go for it.

(Thank you to the Harvard Executive Education participants who let me teach them and vice versa.)