At Impact, as you know, we're big fans of stories. I mean, they can transport us to different worlds, make us feel all the emotions, and stick with us forever.
But what if I told you that the power of storytelling isn't just limited to books and movies? It can also be used to boost employee engagement at work.
You might think that employee engagement strategies, like perks, rewards, and recognition programs, are the best way to keep your team motivated and on track.
And while those things can definitely help, they often don't fully engage and inspire your employees. That's where the magic of storytelling comes in.
By using storytelling in the workplace, you can create a stronger connection with your team, foster a sense of shared purpose and values, and ultimately drive better business results.
So how do you use storytelling to boost employee engagement? Here are 5 ways to get started:
Share the company's origin story. People love hearing about how things got started. Share the story of how your company came to be, the challenges it faced along the way, and the values and vision that guide it. This helps your employees understand the purpose of the company and feel like they're a part of its success. Forbes writes that sharing a company's origin story with employees helps them understand the company's purpose and feel a sense of ownership in its success. If you want to check out what a production level origin film looks like, check out the Origin film we made for one of our clients, Phoenix Haus by clicking here.
Use storytelling to communicate goals and values. Words and numbers can only explain so much about your company's goals and values. Stories, on the other hand, bring those abstract concepts to life and make them more relatable. For example, instead of just telling your employees that innovation is a key value, share a story about how a team of employees used their creativity to solve a tough problem. This helps employees understand the value of innovation in a more personal and meaningful way. Harvard Business Review found that using storytelling to communicate goals and values can help make these abstract concepts more meaningful and relatable to employees.
Foster a sense of community with employee-generated stories. Your employees have their own stories to tell – about their careers, their passions, and their experiences at the company. Encourage them to share these stories with each other, either through group storytelling sessions or through more formal channels like newsletters or social media. This helps build a sense of community and makes employees feel more connected to each other. According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management, encouraging employees to share their own stories with each other can help build a sense of community and connection within the team.
Use storytelling in leadership development programs. Leaders play a huge role in shaping the culture and experiences of their teams. By using storytelling as a tool in leadership development programs, you can help leaders learn to be better communicators and create a more positive and engaging work environment. A study by the Center for Creative Leadership found that using storytelling as a tool in leadership development programs can help leaders learn to be more effective communicators and create a more positive and engaging work environment.
Encourage employees to tell their own stories in their work. Encourage your employees to use their own stories and experiences as inspiration for their work. This could be as simple as having them share a personal anecdote in a team meeting or as involved as creating a company-wide storytelling project. By allowing employees to bring their own stories and perspectives to the table, you create a more diverse and engaging work environment.
In conclusion, the power of storytelling is not to be underestimated when it comes to employee engagement.
By using it in the workplace, you can create a stronger connection with your team, foster a sense of shared purpose and values, and ultimately drive better business results.
So, the next time you're looking for a way to engage your employees, try telling a good story – you might be surprised by the results.
Now that you've learned about the power of storytelling in boosting employee engagement, it's time to take action. Book a call with us today to see how storytelling will turn your company into a winning brand.