Why managers should be good storytellers

Storytelling is a skill that, perhaps surprisingly, often proves handy in everyday interaction with people around you. And it is a skill no successful manager can do without. Why is this so and why do managers need to be good storytellers?

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Communicating a vision to your team

As Management Today states, one of the key tasks of a manager is to enthuse their subordinates for a shared team vision. A manager needs to offer a common goal everyone can focus on collectively; however, they cannot project such a vision unless they are good at storytelling. It is therefore crucial for any manager to be able to convey visions to their team in an engaging and inspiring way.

Being able to communicate and build relations with subordinates

People management is primarily about communication. Even a manager with the best possible theoretical knowledge can never be successful if they are unable to communicate effectively with their staff and establish strong and trusting relations with them. Good storytelling skills are the necessary foundation for effective communication: the more engaging a manager is as a speaker and communicator, the more likely it is that they will earn natural respect from their subordinates and truly bring their team together.

Sharing knowledge and skills and transferring information

Last but not least, a manager also passes on technical and specific knowhow to subordinates. A manager also provides team members with key information about what is happening at the company and explains decisions made by senior management. A manager makes decisions on key issues which affect the team, organises internal debates within the team, and explains rules and work processes to subordinates. Hence storytelling skills are not only useful but, in fact, also crucial.

 

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Article source Management Today - website of a UK management magazine
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