The Art of Storytelling to Engage Your Team (With Teri Kingston)

Teri Kingston, founder and CEO of Real Impact Speaking and TEDx coach, shares her entrepreneurial journey and the importance of storytelling in leadership. She emphasizes continuous learning in marketing and public speaking. Teri recounts her transition from volunteer coaching to a paid business model, guided by a business coach's advice, and underscores storytelling's role in team building and corporate culture, drawing on her work with the Ottawa Police Services and refugee organizations. She urges leaders to develop storytelling skills to enhance team communication and influence.

Action Items

-Incorporate storytelling in to corporate messing regularly

-Consider training for leaders to use storytelling more effectively to engage their teams

-Become a "story nerd," using books, courses, and coaches for skill development.

Outline

Journey and Early Lessons

-Teri discusses the challenges of self-leadership as an entrepreneur, sharing insights on promoting and firing herself.

-She highlights the need for continuous learning, particularly in marketing.

Transitioning to a Business Model

-Teri explains her shift from unpaid coaching to a thriving business, spurred by advice to value her skills.

-She values follow-ups with past TEDx speakers to gauge their growth and impact.

-Christi relates, appreciating the value of paid expertise.

Storytelling in Leadership

-Teri emphasizes storytelling as vital for team building and cultural shifts, citing work with OPS and refugee organizations.

-She advises leaders to use storytelling to articulate vision and manage change effectively.

Overcoming Nerves in Public Speaking

-Teri identifies common speaker challenges like nerves and preparation, offering strategies to overcome them.

-She mentions her joy in seeing speakers grow and an upcoming workshop focused on managing anxiety.

-Through coaching, speakers discover personal growth and untapped capabilities.

Practical Storytelling Tips

-Teri advises leaders to recognize communication skills as valuable workplace tools.

-She recommends resources like Matthew Dicks’ teachings and encourages capturing everyday stories for presentations.

-Authenticity and vulnerability are key to building audience connections.

Storytelling for Employee Engagement

-Storytelling boosts engagement and helps leaders communicate succinctly in meetings.

-Teri recounts a team’s success in using storytelling to convey their message effectively.

-Christi acknowledges the need for practice in integrating storytelling.

Resources for Aspiring Storytellers

-Teri urges leaders to become "story nerds," suggesting books, courses, and hiring coaches for skill development.

-She and Christi highlight Teri’s book as a valuable resource for listeners.

-Teri expresses gratitude for the conversation and opportunity to share her expertise.

Useful Links

Host: Christi's Web Page

Guest: Real Impact Speaking

Teri’s Book: Get Ready for TED When TED is Ready for YOU!

Lighthouse NINE Group: Web page

Matthew Dicks: Making Stories Come Alive

Contributors

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