- By Sophie Pinkoski

Storytelling has been a universal mode of communication throughout human history. Narratives build out context through characters and the conflicts they experience to ultimately learn a valuable lesson, overcome a challenge, or accomplish something great. At its conclusion, a story drives home a message of to inform or benefit the listener. Leaders can express themselves in much the same way to inspire, energize, and influence their team and networks.

Leaders often overlook the profound impact their stories can have.

These narratives become that much more essential as leaders prepare to leave their organizations. It may seem like their stories about time spent in the organization may not be worth much, but therein lies the wisdom that will help guide the next generation of leaders.

The handover between outgoing and incoming leaders requires an immense knowledge transfer to ensure the new leader can settle seamlessly into their role.

Often outgoing leaders and their teams don't want to interfere or bias the incoming leader, but it is exactly those insights that can accelerate their contribution to the organization. Telling stories about experiences helps the new leader better understand the organization, while painting a vivid picture of what they can expect. Without stories how can the outgoing leaders share years or decades of context? 

Effective storytelling can help the new leader build upon the outgoing leader's legacy and momentum.

Here are some ways impactful storytelling facilitates effective knowledge transfer:

Learning from challenges and mistakes–– It’s important to share challenges experienced and how they were overcome to ensure future generations are well equipped to face similar situations.

Give the incoming leader a sense of past challenges so they can approach them with confidence.

Every past success celebrated likely involved facing roadblocks along the way. Where did things go wrong, how did was it managed, and what lessons were learned from the experience? Even when the road wasn’t a smooth one, sharing the journey behind any achievement allows the listener an opportunity to envision what they might have done in that situation.

By telling these stories, the incoming leader can see the big picture behind the organization’s results.

They can fully appreciate the effort and adaptation that went into discovering the most effective strategies for achieving the organization’s goals.

Instilling the organization’s culture and values–– Part of sharing successes is defining what a win looks like for the organization. This involves delving into the organization’s culture, values, goals, and objectives.

These stories should come with a sense of purpose that furthers the new leader’s understanding of what is at the heart of the organization.

What were some of the biggest accomplishments brought to the organization? Why were they so important and how were they achieved? By giving context behind these wins, the organization’s priorities can be easily articulated with concrete examples of behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs needed to accomplish them.

Retaining information–– Studies show that facts are 20 times more likely to be remembered both more accurately and longer when they’re presented within a story. With people’s attention spans averaging eight seconds in our fast-paced world, it’s essential to find engaging ways to captivate an audience. People aren’t interested in data alone, nor do they want to be burdened with a 20-page survey or manual. They want to digest information quickly and succinctly in a way they can relate to. Fortunately, storytelling appeals to all types of learners. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners can each find something engaging in stories, whether it’s the words, creative stimulation, or emotional connections made.

Stories stick with us for a reason; it’s human nature to use stories to capture, filter, and retain information.

Concrete examples help us process and derive meaning from the messages and information we receive.

Building Emotional connections–– Storytelling can be an incredibly powerful tool that appeals to people’s emotions.

Stories ground information shared by making tangible connections to the humans behind the organization.

This humanistic approach brings the organization to life as a living organization that requires careful nurturing. A well-crafted narrative is multi-faceted, with rhetoric fulfilling multiple functions at once, whether it’s to influence, teach, persuade, inspire, or even entertain. Sharing experiences in such a way builds connections and trust between individuals. A well-told story can be inspirational.

Every impactful message shared with a new leader can give them perspective, inspiring new innovative ideas that can be brought to life in the organization.

Stories are meant to be heard. Stories are worthwhile and bring meaning to people’s lives. Outgoing leaders that share crucial information can help their organization thrive into the future long after they leave. This allows new leaders to help build upon a legacy that will further fortify the structure of the organization. Everyone has a meaningful story to share– yours holds just as much power.

Further Reading

What Makes Storytelling So Effective For Learning?, Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning

Why Leadership Storytelling Is Important, Forbes                

Facilitating Knowledge Management Through Storytelling, KMI Institute

Improve Knowledge Transfer Through Storytelling, Narativ

Storytelling in Business: Capturing Organizational Wisdom, ADP

The Power of Storytelling, The Grossman Group: Your Thought Partner Blog