Why are we telling stories? Why do we love listening to stories?
Storytelling is a form of communication that has been around since the first humans gathered and exchanged experiences. Even before the spoken word our early ancestors used body language and drawings to communicate. In that sense it is the ultimate human experience.
This is why telling stories and listening to stories resonates with something deep and ancient within us. It’s an emotional reaction, not a rational one. It’s our lizard brain, the limbic system, releasing hormones that trigger our deepest fears and highest hopes.
“A story is an idea wrapped in an emotion”
Robert McKee
And that’s why we love to see movies, hear music, read books, talk to friends, gossip, chat, debate and all other forms of storytelling.
There are psychological studies proving the enormous effects of stories on our minds. People in neuroscience have been busy mapping our brains and investigating the neurological effects of storytelling. And there have marketing gurus, brand specialists and corporate consultants preaching the power of storytelling in business.
Why don’t we like to do or listen to a business presentation?
So, knowing all of this, why do most people still don’t like to do or listen to a business presentation? The answer is simply because they are not using the power and beauty of storytelling.
Read in my next blog post about what stories are and why every story is about the same thing.
Leave a Reply