SIOP Work Smart Series Event Illuminates the Power of Storytelling

The February 16 Work Smart Session – Stories that Move Us – was well received by an audience including SIOP members, SIOP Affiliates, and non-members eager to learn more about how to leverage the power of storytelling. The session was facilitated by Christine Boyce (Director, ManpowerGroup Global Assessment & Analytics Center of Excellence) and Mitchell Gold (Senior Principal, Korn Ferry) based on the highly rated SIOP Preconference Workshop they had previously delivered.

Boyce and Gold engaged the audience in learning how research supports the importance of stories in:

1. sharing norms and values
2. developing trust and commitment
3. facilitating unlearning
4. creating a strong emotional response and connection
5. building knowledge and sharing complex concepts
6. facilitating loyalty during times of change.

We are neurologically wired to respond to stories! Participant responses to the session format were overwhelmingly positive: 100% found the information very useful and 92% indicated willingness to recommend session to others.

Session participants particularly appreciated the wealth of practical techniques on how to become more effective as storytellers such as “Seven Strategies to Support Your Story Success” and “The Mechanics of Building a Story.” A breakout session also addressed how to build a storytelling culture. The session included opportunities to connect with others and practice the art and science of storytelling. As one participant noted: “This workshop was jam packed with actual tools and training….really should have been called a master class!"  

If you were unable to attend, you can still register to access the recording and all the materials that were shared at registration link. (Please note that breakout sessions were not recorded for confidentiality purposes). And even if you were able to attend, this is a session you will benefit from watching a second time given the rich information!

Thank you to the presenters for so graciously sharing their time and expertise to create and facilitate this amazing session. We also thank our benefactor, Code Signal, for their support of the SIOP Work Smart Series. For more information about sponsoring these programs, please contact Susan Rogers at srogers@siop.org. If you have questions or ideas for the Work Smart Series Team, please email WorkSmart@siop.org.

Save the Date:

The next Work Smart experience Workplace Mistreatment: Science and Solutions will take place virtually on Wednesday, May 24, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET. Two workplace incivility experts, Drs. Shannon Taylor and Kimberly Young-McLear, will join forces during this highly interactive session to share their academic and applied expertise on a broad category of bad workplace behavior that includes harassment, incivility, bullying, verbal and physical aggression, disrespect, exclusion, isolation, threats, and bribes.

Taylor is a professor of Management at the University of Central Florida. His research examines rude, abusive, and unethical behaviors of employees and leaders. His work has appeared in top I-O and management journals and has been featured by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and NPR. He is also a contributor to the Harvard Business Review.

Young-McLear is a scholar, activist, engineer, and educator who is committed to human resilience, human dignity, and human rights. As a whistleblower and survivor of workplace bullying and retaliation, she leverages her own experiences to build effective, positive coalitions centered on systemic change. She has been featured in numerous outlets including The New York Times, Forbes, and a cover issue of Glamour.

We hope you and your network will join us for this in-depth exploration of workplace mistreatment. This event is open to both SIOP members and non-members. A registration link is forthcoming. All registrants will have ongoing access to the session recording and resources even if they are unable to join the virtual experience.