Teaching Guide for The Power of Humor in Story Module
Background
Why do people gravitate towards certain leaders when they talk? Why do certain companies evoke familiarity and loyalty more than others? Why do we get emotional when we see certain ads or hear from charismatic leaders? The answer to these questions lies in the power of story. This module is predicated on two assumptions, which we believe to be true. First, story can impact peoples’ behavior, if used effectively. Second, your success as a leader will depend greatly on your ability to influence and motivate others through storytelling. If you can hone your effectiveness as a storyteller, you will be able to better engage people personally, within your organization, within your industry, or globally. Research has shown that there are many ways to leverage stories for success. In this module you will see how stories can be used for a powerful impact and learn tips from expert storytellers of ways you can fine-tune your own storytelling skills.
Module Purpose and Description
The purpose of this module is to help prepare you to better understand the mechanics of storytelling and tips to better leverage your experiences to make a strong impact as a leader.
Module Format
This module is built around a curated set of vignettes featuring leaders who share their experiences and insights to help you understand the opportunities you have to hone your own expertise as a storyteller. The full storytelling module is broken into 4 parts: the power of story; the power of purpose; the power of empathy; and the power of humor.
The Power of Humor
If done well, a leader’s ability to weave humor into storytelling can be a key factor in success. Humor is a powerful tool for storytelling and can quickly win over a listener or an audience. This Module on the Power of Humor shares insights from Professor Aaker and select leaders who have learned to leverage the power of humor.
Additional Readings and Resources
Aaker, Jennifer and Andy Smith. The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Change, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Print. 28 Sept. 2010.
https://people.stanford.edu/jaaker/research
Vignettes
Video Vignette: Aaker on the Power of Humor
Featuring: Professor Jennifer Aaker
Summary: Jennifer Aaker shares insights and research on how humor influences behavior for leaders and organizations. This powerful tool within stories has the potential to persuade listeners and customers.
Takeaway: Humor is a powerful tool that can be practiced and refined for more effective use.
Considerations and Questions:
1- What kind of humor comes naturally to you?
2- How can you develop more humor in the stories you tell and with your colleagues?
3- How can humor be dangerous or turn against you?
Video Vignette: Use Humor in Story
Featuring: David Hornik
Summary: David Hornik talks about how, if done well, leaders can use humor to reshape how people see a company and its products. Keep in mind the following principles: always consider the listener and how you want to either fulfill expectations or create surprise; story can help you simplify complex concepts; humor is one tool of many in how you use story.
Takeaway: Consider how you can use humor, playfulness and fun in your stories and branding to make a stronger impact.
Considerations and Questions:
1- How do you incorporate humor in your stories?
2- When you tell stories, how do you attempt to surprise them?
3- How do you reveal information to your listener when you tell stories?
Video Vignette: Bare Power of Humor
Featuring: Leslie Blodgett
Summary: Leslie Blodgett and the Company Bare Escentuals are able to capture the heart and mind of listeners and customers by incorporating humor into the story behind the company. This humor engages listeners and attracts them more strongly to the organization.
Takeaway: Humor engages listeners to develop a stronger affinity to the storyteller and the company.
Considerations and Questions:
1- How does Bare Escentuals incorporate humor so that it is especially powerful?
2- What reaction do you have when you are amused or laugh at a story?
3- How can you incorporate humor in your story so that it sounds natural and genuine?
Conclusion
The clips in this module have illustrated multiple perspectives on storytelling. Continue to revisit this module as your role and organization evolve. Be mindful of gathering stories through change and continue to practice how you share those stories with others. Continue to gather feedback about your storytelling to develop your technique and hone your skills. Keep in mind the potential you have to drive change in how others experience you, how you can drive change in your organization, and how you can use stories in your work to make an impact.
Teaching Guide for The Power of Humor in Story Module
Background
Why do people gravitate towards certain leaders when they talk? Why do certain companies evoke familiarity and loyalty more than others? Why do we get emotional when we see certain ads or hear from charismatic leaders? The answer to these questions lies in the power of story. This module is predicated on two assumptions, which we believe to be true. First, story can impact peoples’ behavior, if used effectively. Second, your success as a leader will depend greatly on your ability to influence and motivate others through storytelling. If you can hone your effectiveness as a storyteller, you will be able to better engage people personally, within your organization, within your industry, or globally. Research has shown that there are many ways to leverage stories for success. In this module you will see how stories can be used for a powerful impact and learn tips from expert storytellers of ways you can fine-tune your own storytelling skills.
Module Purpose and Description
The purpose of this module is to help prepare you to better understand the mechanics of storytelling and tips to better leverage your experiences to make a strong impact as a leader.
Module Format
This module is built around a curated set of vignettes featuring leaders who share their experiences and insights to help you understand the opportunities you have to hone your own expertise as a storyteller. The full storytelling module is broken into 4 parts: the power of story; the power of purpose; the power of empathy; and the power of humor.
The Power of Humor
If done well, a leader’s ability to weave humor into storytelling can be a key factor in success. Humor is a powerful tool for storytelling and can quickly win over a listener or an audience. This Module on the Power of Humor shares insights from Professor Aaker and select leaders who have learned to leverage the power of humor.
Additional Readings and Resources
Aaker, Jennifer and Andy Smith. The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Change, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Print. 28 Sept. 2010.
https://people.stanford.edu/jaaker/research
Vignettes
Video Vignette: Aaker on the Power of Humor
Featuring: Professor Jennifer Aaker
Summary: Jennifer Aaker shares insights and research on how humor influences behavior for leaders and organizations. This powerful tool within stories has the potential to persuade listeners and customers.
Takeaway: Humor is a powerful tool that can be practiced and refined for more effective use.
Considerations and Questions:
1- What kind of humor comes naturally to you?
2- How can you develop more humor in the stories you tell and with your colleagues?
3- How can humor be dangerous or turn against you?
Video Vignette: Use Humor in Story
Featuring: David Hornik
Summary: David Hornik talks about how, if done well, leaders can use humor to reshape how people see a company and its products. Keep in mind the following principles: always consider the listener and how you want to either fulfill expectations or create surprise; story can help you simplify complex concepts; humor is one tool of many in how you use story.
Takeaway: Consider how you can use humor, playfulness and fun in your stories and branding to make a stronger impact.
Considerations and Questions:
1- How do you incorporate humor in your stories?
2- When you tell stories, how do you attempt to surprise them?
3- How do you reveal information to your listener when you tell stories?
Video Vignette: Bare Power of Humor
Featuring: Leslie Blodgett
Summary: Leslie Blodgett and the Company Bare Escentuals are able to capture the heart and mind of listeners and customers by incorporating humor into the story behind the company. This humor engages listeners and attracts them more strongly to the organization.
Takeaway: Humor engages listeners to develop a stronger affinity to the storyteller and the company.
Considerations and Questions:
1- How does Bare Escentuals incorporate humor so that it is especially powerful?
2- What reaction do you have when you are amused or laugh at a story?
3- How can you incorporate humor in your story so that it sounds natural and genuine?
Conclusion
The clips in this module have illustrated multiple perspectives on storytelling. Continue to revisit this module as your role and organization evolve. Be mindful of gathering stories through change and continue to practice how you share those stories with others. Continue to gather feedback about your storytelling to develop your technique and hone your skills. Keep in mind the potential you have to drive change in how others experience you, how you can drive change in your organization, and how you can use stories in your work to make an impact.
Teaching Guide for The Power of Humor in Story Module
Background
Why do people gravitate towards certain leaders when they talk? Why do certain companies evoke familiarity and loyalty more than others? Why do we get emotional when we see certain ads or hear from charismatic leaders? The answer to these questions lies in the power of story. This module is predicated on two assumptions, which we believe to be true. First, story can impact peoples’ behavior, if used effectively. Second, your success as a leader will depend greatly on your ability to influence and motivate others through storytelling. If you can hone your effectiveness as a storyteller, you will be able to better engage people personally, within your organization, within your industry, or globally. Research has shown that there are many ways to leverage stories for success. In this module you will see how stories can be used for a powerful impact and learn tips from expert storytellers of ways you can fine-tune your own storytelling skills.
Module Purpose and Description
The purpose of this module is to help prepare you to better understand the mechanics of storytelling and tips to better leverage your experiences to make a strong impact as a leader.
Module Format
This module is built around a curated set of vignettes featuring leaders who share their experiences and insights to help you understand the opportunities you have to hone your own expertise as a storyteller. The full storytelling module is broken into 4 parts: the power of story; the power of purpose; the power of empathy; and the power of humor.
The Power of Humor
If done well, a leader’s ability to weave humor into storytelling can be a key factor in success. Humor is a powerful tool for storytelling and can quickly win over a listener or an audience. This Module on the Power of Humor shares insights from Professor Aaker and select leaders who have learned to leverage the power of humor.
Additional Readings and Resources
Aaker, Jennifer and Andy Smith. The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Change, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Print. 28 Sept. 2010.
https://people.stanford.edu/jaaker/research
Vignettes
Video Vignette: Aaker on the Power of Humor
Featuring: Professor Jennifer Aaker
Summary: Jennifer Aaker shares insights and research on how humor influences behavior for leaders and organizations. This powerful tool within stories has the potential to persuade listeners and customers.
Takeaway: Humor is a powerful tool that can be practiced and refined for more effective use.
Considerations and Questions:
1- What kind of humor comes naturally to you?
2- How can you develop more humor in the stories you tell and with your colleagues?
3- How can humor be dangerous or turn against you?
Video Vignette: Use Humor in Story
Featuring: David Hornik
Summary: David Hornik talks about how, if done well, leaders can use humor to reshape how people see a company and its products. Keep in mind the following principles: always consider the listener and how you want to either fulfill expectations or create surprise; story can help you simplify complex concepts; humor is one tool of many in how you use story.
Takeaway: Consider how you can use humor, playfulness and fun in your stories and branding to make a stronger impact.
Considerations and Questions:
1- How do you incorporate humor in your stories?
2- When you tell stories, how do you attempt to surprise them?
3- How do you reveal information to your listener when you tell stories?
Video Vignette: Bare Power of Humor
Featuring: Leslie Blodgett
Summary: Leslie Blodgett and the Company Bare Escentuals are able to capture the heart and mind of listeners and customers by incorporating humor into the story behind the company. This humor engages listeners and attracts them more strongly to the organization.
Takeaway: Humor engages listeners to develop a stronger affinity to the storyteller and the company.
Considerations and Questions:
1- How does Bare Escentuals incorporate humor so that it is especially powerful?
2- What reaction do you have when you are amused or laugh at a story?
3- How can you incorporate humor in your story so that it sounds natural and genuine?
Conclusion
The clips in this module have illustrated multiple perspectives on storytelling. Continue to revisit this module as your role and organization evolve. Be mindful of gathering stories through change and continue to practice how you share those stories with others. Continue to gather feedback about your storytelling to develop your technique and hone your skills. Keep in mind the potential you have to drive change in how others experience you, how you can drive change in your organization, and how you can use stories in your work to make an impact.
Teaching Guide for The Power of Humor in Story Module
Background
Why do people gravitate towards certain leaders when they talk? Why do certain companies evoke familiarity and loyalty more than others? Why do we get emotional when we see certain ads or hear from charismatic leaders? The answer to these questions lies in the power of story. This module is predicated on two assumptions, which we believe to be true. First, story can impact peoples’ behavior, if used effectively. Second, your success as a leader will depend greatly on your ability to influence and motivate others through storytelling. If you can hone your effectiveness as a storyteller, you will be able to better engage people personally, within your organization, within your industry, or globally. Research has shown that there are many ways to leverage stories for success. In this module you will see how stories can be used for a powerful impact and learn tips from expert storytellers of ways you can fine-tune your own storytelling skills.
Module Purpose and Description
The purpose of this module is to help prepare you to better understand the mechanics of storytelling and tips to better leverage your experiences to make a strong impact as a leader.
Module Format
This module is built around a curated set of vignettes featuring leaders who share their experiences and insights to help you understand the opportunities you have to hone your own expertise as a storyteller. The full storytelling module is broken into 4 parts: the power of story; the power of purpose; the power of empathy; and the power of humor.
The Power of Humor
If done well, a leader’s ability to weave humor into storytelling can be a key factor in success. Humor is a powerful tool for storytelling and can quickly win over a listener or an audience. This Module on the Power of Humor shares insights from Professor Aaker and select leaders who have learned to leverage the power of humor.
Additional Readings and Resources
Aaker, Jennifer and Andy Smith. The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Change, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Print. 28 Sept. 2010.
https://people.stanford.edu/jaaker/research
Vignettes
Video Vignette: Aaker on the Power of Humor
Featuring: Professor Jennifer Aaker
Summary: Jennifer Aaker shares insights and research on how humor influences behavior for leaders and organizations. This powerful tool within stories has the potential to persuade listeners and customers.
Takeaway: Humor is a powerful tool that can be practiced and refined for more effective use.
Considerations and Questions:
1- What kind of humor comes naturally to you?
2- How can you develop more humor in the stories you tell and with your colleagues?
3- How can humor be dangerous or turn against you?
Video Vignette: Use Humor in Story
Featuring: David Hornik
Summary: David Hornik talks about how, if done well, leaders can use humor to reshape how people see a company and its products. Keep in mind the following principles: always consider the listener and how you want to either fulfill expectations or create surprise; story can help you simplify complex concepts; humor is one tool of many in how you use story.
Takeaway: Consider how you can use humor, playfulness and fun in your stories and branding to make a stronger impact.
Considerations and Questions:
1- How do you incorporate humor in your stories?
2- When you tell stories, how do you attempt to surprise them?
3- How do you reveal information to your listener when you tell stories?
Video Vignette: Bare Power of Humor
Featuring: Leslie Blodgett
Summary: Leslie Blodgett and the Company Bare Escentuals are able to capture the heart and mind of listeners and customers by incorporating humor into the story behind the company. This humor engages listeners and attracts them more strongly to the organization.
Takeaway: Humor engages listeners to develop a stronger affinity to the storyteller and the company.
Considerations and Questions:
1- How does Bare Escentuals incorporate humor so that it is especially powerful?
2- What reaction do you have when you are amused or laugh at a story?
3- How can you incorporate humor in your story so that it sounds natural and genuine?
Conclusion
The clips in this module have illustrated multiple perspectives on storytelling. Continue to revisit this module as your role and organization evolve. Be mindful of gathering stories through change and continue to practice how you share those stories with others. Continue to gather feedback about your storytelling to develop your technique and hone your skills. Keep in mind the potential you have to drive change in how others experience you, how you can drive change in your organization, and how you can use stories in your work to make an impact.