‘Storytelling can effectively train employees’

When tales are told in person, it has a positive impact, says Eric Miller

Eric Miller

Are you unable to get along with your ‘Kadoos boss’ who perpetually drives you crazy at workplace?

Have you ever come across a tricky situation that prompts you to say ‘no’ but you actually end up saying ‘yes’?

How many times have you thought of giving a befitting reply to a colleague who gets on your nerves quite frequently but you only managed to give a wry smile?

Effective tool

Telling tales is no more considered just a source of amusement, but has become an effective tool to train professionals to be tactful in dealing with certain situations.

Director of World Storytelling Institute Eric Miller says that the art of storytelling has caught the attention of multinational companies and institutions for varied reasons. “From imparting management skills to learning to be assertive and improving oratory skills, several organisations are now keen on engaging professional storytellers to train employees in various professional aspects. Even to deal with a not-so-friendly taskmaster at workplace, there is a technique to communicate and that’s what we try to teach people through role plays in our storytelling sessions,” Dr. Miller told

The Hindu when he came to the city to conduct a storytelling workshop.

Real situations

The Chennai-based professional storyteller with a PhD in Folklore says that many workplaces have identified multiple benefits of storytelling.

“Today, the ancient art form made inroads into a number of institutions and companies as many consider it a customised tool to train teachers, parents, professionals and entrepreneurs. What makes the session interesting is how we weave real situations into stories and convert them into role plays, connecting with the present situation,” said Dr. Miller.

Storytelling sessions help employees come up with better strategies to meet management demands in a more efficient manner. However, even in the digital world, Dr. Miller feels that the traditional method of storytelling continues to assume greater significance. “When tales are told in person, it has a positive impact and sticks with you for a long period. That is why a professional storyteller has a larger role to play these days,” he stated.

Dr. Miller added that storytelling has become a regular feature at workplaces as the medium is used as a technique to develop competencies as well.