08. Common Myths About Workplace Storytelling

0:01 [Vinod]
Storytelling is one of those words that’s understood in many different ways. I was chatting with someone who leads large projects at a global company. When he heard I’m into storytelling, he raised an eyebrow and said, “Oh, so like… you guys do marketing videos?”

0:14
That’s when I realized, even smart professionals often think storytelling belongs only in advertising or entertainment. But at the workplace, storytelling has a very different, and far more powerful, role to play.

0:30
Welcome to the Storytelling at Work Podcast. I’m your host, Vinod Krishna, and here we explore storytelling, communication, leadership, and more.

0:50
Just look around, storytelling is an often-used word. What does the word “storytelling” remind you of?
I’ve had people ask me if my firm goes around… telling stories. Some say, “Stories are so important these days.” Others ask, “So what kind of stories do you tell?” And a few wonder, “Do you write books… like fiction?”

1:10
And when I explain, many still find it difficult to connect the dots, between leadership, storytelling, and organizational performance. They have a limited understanding of what storytelling really is. They often miss how powerful a communication tool it can be, especially at work.

1:31
That’s when I felt, we need to clear the air a bit. So today, let’s look at three common myths about storytelling.

Myth #1: Stories don’t belong in serious meetings

Let’s be clear, stories in serious meetings don’t mean entertainment, performance, or theatrics.
The purpose of a story is to convey your message… and help your audience understand it clearly.
It’s about giving them clarity around what you’re trying to say.

So if you’re walking into a serious meeting and want to communicate with impact, storytelling can help.
But it’s not just about “telling a story.”

2:15
It’s about asking:
- What do I want the story to help me accomplish?
- Is the timing right?
- What’s the context?
- Do I go with the long version… or the short one?
- What’s the level of rapport I have with this group?

It’s about reading the room. So using a story doesn't depend on how “serious” the meeting is. It depends on many other factors. Think of a story as a powerful vehicle to drive home your message, no matter the situation.

3:04
Myth #2: Stories are only for branding and marketing

Sure, storytelling is definitely used in marketing. But inside organizations, leaders use stories to lead change, align people, handle resistance, and shape culture.

Let’s say you’re rolling out a new strategy… or trying to shift mindsets. Chances are, your slides won’t do the job. A well-told story is what you need to bet on.

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Myth #3: Storytelling means something dramatic has to happen

Not at all. Storytelling at the workplace is about getting your message across to your stakeholders. It doesn’t mean delivering a dramatic performance.

So how does it play out? A team lead shares a moment of failure that taught them something valuable.

A product manager explains a new feature, by describing a frustrated user, and how that frustration was solved.

A HR leader introduces a new policy, by sharing the story of the people it was designed for.

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The word storytelling can mean a lot of things. And inside workplaces, it goes beyond just telling stories and anecdotes. It’s about borrowing techniques from storytelling, and using them to make communication stronger.

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So let me say it again, storytelling at the workplace is about communicating your message both intellectually and emotionally. It’s about making it relatable to your audience.

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What definitions of business storytelling have you come across? Do let me know.

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Thank you for tuning in to the Storytelling at Work Podcast. Do subscribe and share it with someone who you think might find this useful. And if you’ve got a question, or a storytelling challenge at your workplace, do reach out.