questions for finding out stories
To become a good storyteller, first you have to become a good listener. You also have to ask the right kinds of questions.
Here are the kinds of questions that can help you access stories – your own or someone else’s.
Tell me about a time when... Tell me about a moment when...
- you or your team faced a dilemma
- you or your team experienced a significant turning point
- you dealt with a real crisis – what happened before, during and after it?
- you felt really proud to be part of something
- you took a real risk and it paid off or didn’t pay off
- you were really inspired by what was going on around you
- you encountered an obstacle and overcame it
- you saw (one of your organization’s values) really brought to life/ being acted out
- you saw positive changes happen as a result of your work
And as well as asking the right questions, you have to learn how to spot potential stories and find those that represent what your organization is really like.
