HR Professional - February/March 2008 - (Page 82)

THE LAST WORD TELL ME A STORY BY JIM CLEMMER I collections of case studies illustrating tough decisions, outstanding performance and effective change management. Embed the stories in training and orientation programs and in your management team’s stump speeches. • Incorporate storytelling into your management or staff meetings. Devote a section of the meeting for participants to relate a recent example of successful change, values-based decision-making or great performance. Capture those stories for your repertoire. • Develop a strong case for change. Make it appealing to both the head and the heart. Speak to what’s in it for your team. Connect to the organization’s values and past successes. • Take communication skills training or coaching, especially on public speaking. Learn how to use stories, examples and metaphors that speak to the heart. Never make a point without a story or example and never tell a story without a point. Get ongoing feedback from professionalspeaking coaches, mentors, peers and your Finding the audiences. balance E-mail is a • Work with your vital tool in team to prepare today’s fast-paced a stump speech. world. PowerPoint These key presentations can talking points logically lay out a might include: strong business case. external drivers of Internet or intranet sites change pressing on your IL L US T R AT ION: MIC H A E L E DDE NDE N can provide an invaluable library organization, key goals and of data, policies, updates and reports. priorities, stories of past successes But stories connect. Stories speak to the heart. and improvement/change plans and processes. Stories stir the imagination. Stories rouse our The stump speech should be full of imagery, emotions. The most powerful story is one that stories and metaphors. Deliver these in person gets people laughing and then gives them a key through one-on-one discussions, meetings and point to chew on while their mouths (and minds) group presentations. are open. • Build a repertoire of teachable stories. Collect and catalogue the best examples of Jim Clemmer (www.Clemmer.net) is a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and management your organization’s key principles in action. Circulate those stories inside your organization team developer on practical leadership. His new book is Moose on the Table: A Novel and externally through the media. Write up Approach to Communications @ Work. n today’s age of information overload, many managers and HR professionals have become victims of the e-mail beast. This growing monster not only drains energy and sucks up time, it contributes to the widening chasm of disengaged, disconnected and cynical people across many organizations. Too many HR professionals get caught up in tactical daily “administrivia.” Studies show that strategic HR professionals recognize there’s a huge difference between information (management) and communication (leadership). My first books and training approaches were heavy on information. During the last decade, however, I’ve found that people get the message most often through a good story, metaphor or analogy. As my work shifted in this direction, I found readers and participants engaged and acted at a much deeper level. Managers and HR professionals will also find that if they use stories and analogies instead of fact-based communications they will inspire and engage their employees and teams. 82 F e b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 0 8 HR P R OF E S S I ON A L http://www.Clemmer.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of HR Professional - February/March 2008

HR Professional - February/March 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Contributors Leadership Matters Boards By the Numbers Did You Know Sustainability Education News: E-Recycling Communications News: HR Study FYI Ethics World Watch News: Legislation Legal Compensation Focus Strategy The Colour of Money Sustainable Skills From Brown to Green HR Trends: From Winners to Also-Rans Branding Human Capital HR 101 Interview with David Suzuki Off the Shelf The Last Word

HR Professional - February/March 2008

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