How to Use Stories to Facilitate Self-Awareness and…Inspire Courageous Conversations

One of the many reasons I love storytelling is because it is a powerful, yet gentle, vehicle for helping people look inward at their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and agendas. Because you are “just sharing a story” and–even better–if that story is from your own experience and involves your own human imperfections, the other person can hear what you have to say without the need to protect or defend themselves.

Because you are “just sharing a story’ and not directly challenging them to look in the mirror or explore areas they aren’t ready or able to, stories can facilitate powerful insights and learning in ways that direct admonitions or confrontation cannot.

In my programs on constructive conversations or in coaching, I use personal stories to help participants connect with the thoughts and feelings they have had in response to unpleasant interactions and difficult discussions. By sharing my own internal reactions-e.g. “How dare they talk to me that way!” and “Hmmm…how can I get them back….?”–my goal is to help them recognize their internal process.

When you share your inner world with listeners, it also helps them bond to you. They get it that you are real and that you struggle with the same things they do.

If you want to see an example of such a story, I just recently had one titled Courageous Conversations: Stories That Foster Self-Awareness, Build Skills and Cultivate Confidence published by the Healing Story Alliance.

It will give you an example of how to tell a story that fosters self-awareness and offers new and more resourceful ways of responding in a non-lecturing, story-based format. This particular story is a bit different from most of the “courageous conversation” stories I tell in that it’s far more focused on helping the listener focus on their inner process and the dynamics involved, than it is on the “Here’s how to bring up the conversation”. That being said, the story still includes that piece, but…when you read the story, you’ll see why that played a minor role.

Hope you find it useful.

If you have questions or comments about using this type of story, ask away!