What makes a story have the desired effect? Simply, the story must meet certain criteria. The story must be appealing. It must be memorable. It must stimulate the imagination. It must have an element of suspense. It will often involve drama but will also be authentic and make it easy for the listener to identify with. The outstanding stories will teach appropriate lessons, prompt reflection and debate among listeners.
Here you might wish to think of any memorable movies you have seen. Have you ever thought about the fact that many movies have a very similar underlying story? This story is often called the “Hero’s Journey”. And a great storyteller will recognise that she is in an environment where there are many hero’s journeys happening at the same time. In addition to each and every one of us having a unique story, the organisation also has a journey and a story. And a great story will be able to tell these stories in a way that will shape their outcomes. These are some of the elements of an effective story:
The challenge – the challenge is a situation about to change. Something is not happening the way it ought to. A wrong needs to be put right. Something is wrong.
The Hero – the Hero is portrayed as a normal human being and someone whose abilities are not beyond the reach of normal humans. At first, the Hero might be unwilling but comes to realise that she needs to actually DO something.
The Villain – the villain is often portrayed as the essence of evil, the individual or system that seeks to maintain or create an unworkable status quo and in so doing, would challenge and overthrow good.
The Gatekeeper – The character in the story that poses the ‘are you really up to all of this or do you want to stay as you are?’ challenge to the hero.
The Wise ones and the helpers – those who assist the hero and provide advice. These would include elders and those who have experienced the same situations and circumstances.
The Action – Here the Hero starts on the path to right the wrong. The Hero will face many challenges, problems and cliffhangers. The skilled storyteller, however, will connect what the Hero does to clear outcomes ensuring that that the lessons are the focus of the story.
The Resolution and Lesson – the Hero overcomes all obstacles and triumphs. A new status quo begins. But there is a reminder that this is always a work in progress. Soon the Hero will be called upon again to do the heroic because nothing ever stays the same.
The above story is essentially one about transformation. At the end of the journey, we see the hero transformed, changed and resurrected into a new kind of life with an expanded awareness. The hero has proved herself.
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