Create a brief slide presentation, with graphics and your voice presenting, which analyzes the tools and strategies that leaders can use to build trust and collaboration, and explains why you believe storytelling is one effective tool for you to use to lead your team.
Refer to the PowerPoint tools in Tools and Resources as well as Guidelines for Effective PowerPoint Presentations [PDF] to help you with this presentation.
The Ariel Group explains that a story needs to follow a basic four-step format that gently leads the audience into the story, through the story, and connecting the story:
The Ariel Group. (2011). Storytelling [PDF]. http://www.arielgroup.com/showcase/ExecutiveEssentials_Storytelling.pdf
Use this format, based on page 9 of the Ariel group resource, to create 7–8 slides (including cover page and references). Remember to have audio on each slide.
Slide 1. Cover slide with title and your name, and a graphic for interest (be sure to credit graphic artist in the reference slide, in APA format). Your audio might greet the listener and introduce yourself.
Slide 2. Introduce the Subject Matter or Business Context, much as the introduction to a paper would do. Explain that this presentation looks at building trust and collaboration in the workplace, and that you will be providing examples of how to do that.
Slide 3. Discuss the importance of Trust and Collaboration in the workplace. Analyze at least two tools or strategies leaders can use to build trust and relationships, foster collaboration, and help employees feel engaged with their work.
Slide 4. Discuss the importance of Storytelling. Mention that storytelling is one of the best tools for promoting trust and collaboration in the workplace. Provide an overview of the importance of storytelling. Explain ways in which leaders can use storytelling to build trust and relationships.
Slide 5. Set the stage and transition into the Story. Describe a scenario of a problem with trust or collaboration that you might encounter at work, it can be real or fictional. Explain that you can tell your team a story to help rebuild these relationships. In this slide, transition into your story, setting the expectations of the audience of what story you are about to tell.
Slide 6. Tell the Story. This slide should actually tell your story, as you would tell it to your team:
Set the stage.
Describe the conflict.
Describe the resolution.
For example, you might say: “About 10 years ago I was working as a shift leader at a manufacturing facility where safety was supposedly part of the culture, yet we had a frighteningly bad safety record . . .” Continue the story.
Slide 7. Connect the Story to a Teaching Point or Subject Matter. This slide should bring your story back to the issue at hand.
For example, you might say: “In this situation, we learned this and that. Here at NASA, we can do the same thing. We can prove that communications this and that.” Think of this like explaining the moral of the story.
Slide 8. References. Include references here. You do not have to have audio on this slide.
Deliverable Format
Presentation: Attach a PowerPoint presentation that has a cover page, seven content slides per the above, and a references slide. You must have exactly eight slides—learning to follow established guidelines is important in school and the workplace.
Audio Presentation: Your slides must be presented with audio; this is an important part of storytelling. Most learners simply record directly into PowerPoint, but you may use other recording software if you wish, as long as your instructor can access it without a password to see your slides and hear your presentation. If you have a disability that makes audio a problem discuss it with your instructor or contact ****************************** to request accommodations.
Slide Appearance: Your slides should be modern, professional, and effective. This means using color and some graphic design. Templates in PowerPoint can help with this. There are many free graphics websites you can use for graphics. Be sure to provide an APA citation for any graphics.
Presenter Notes: Note that your slides should not be text heavy. However, you should make ample use of presenter notes. While the presenter notes do not have to be a word-for-word transcript, they should be very close to what you say in your audio. Use the slide software recording tools to record audio of your slides—you actually telling your story.
References: Your presentation must be evidence based, and as such must have APA formatted citations. This includes a reference slide at the end, but also APA formatted intext citations on the slides themselves or in the presenter notes.
