Embrace Storytelling: It's Integral to Learning

Image source: Forbes and Adobe Stock

I recently attended a technology conference, which was a great opportunity to get up to speed on new trends, connect with others in the learning industry, and share EPI’s work. But all the technological advances in digital interfaces and tools—and the push for A.I.—mostly just reminded me that humans will always need humans! We are wired for connection.

One powerful way to promote connectivity is through storytelling.

A good story piques our curiosity, emotions, and imagination. Here are a few reasons to embrace storytelling as an integral human component of learning: 

Stories increase engagement.

Stories capture attention and draw us in on an emotional level. And when emotions are involved, the learner finds the information more memorable and gains a deeper understanding of it.

Whether we use stories in leadership programs, elearning, or in-person or virtual-led training, they frame information in a meaningful context that reveals more than just the “what” and the “how” of content—learners also become invested in the important “why” factor.

People remember stories better than facts and data.

When creating learning or leadership programs, there is often a push to convey as much information as possible at one time. Sometimes this information can be complicated and difficult to grasp, but storytelling can help make dry data and complex information more interesting.

Research suggests our brains are hardwired to remember stories better than hard facts. When we hear a story, the neurons in our brains light up and begin to “mirror” those of the storyteller, promoting empathy, camaraderie, perspective, and a hit of dopamine.

Stories allow learners to solve problems and try different solutions.

Because people identify strongly with stories, storytelling is an effective way to inspire, influence, and educate others.

At EPI we work closely with our clients to integrate storytelling into our custom learning and leadership development. Learners can find even potentially dry information—such as policy or software training—more palatable when it’s presented through real-world scenarios that allow them to practice in a risk-free environment. We make better sense of the world around us when we’re able to learn from the experiences—the stories—of others.

Simply sharing information rarely influences or changes behavior the way communicating through storytelling does.

I encourage you to continue to find ways to incorporate stories into your learning solutions. You’ll greatly improve the learning experience, boost problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and provide the ever-important element of human connection.

What A.I. can really do all THAT?