Storytelling Bites 8 - Spontaneity.
One of the best aspects of storytelling is spontaneity:
it's when you are alive and responsive to the moment, your audience and your own interest in what you are talking about and yet you are faithful to the purpose and intention of your communication.
People who have spontaneity, when they communicate at work, appear to be able to have an idea there and then that shows a greater or broader level of expertise than expected. They change the direction or angle of their content to take into account a comment or question. They can add detail or elaboration to enhance a point or easily shorten what they have to say without anyone feeling like anything was cut. They are aware of and make the most of shared moments with the audience; something funny, a common experience or shared thought, a moment of vulnerability and authenticity.
Lack of spontaneity is a scripted and read presentation that creates a barrier between the speaker and their audience. Whether being read or memorised word for word, it gives the sense of being lectured at. Without spontaneity you can’t take into account or listen to what your audience wants or needs to hear there and then. Without the freedom of spontaneity, you have no space and movement to think in the moment, to adapt what you’re saying or find the best response.
Spontaneity is not blagging it, winging it, impulsive, making it up as you go along. Done well it doesn’t take an audience down blind alleys or unnecessary detours. Successful spontaneity when communicating does rely on preparation, a plan to get to a certain outcome and a clear sense of why you are speaking. It requires confidence in the breadth and the limits of your knowledge so you can move around and through different content.
Once you have done your research and exploration of your subject, considered the most appropriate content in relation to your audience, created your plan (we like to call it a map) and know what your outcome is then put all your notes and drafts to one side and tell it out loud, practice it, change it and get comfortable with thinking and speaking at the same time. (Did you read last week's storytelling bite about practicing out loud?)
Practice what you can say, trying out different versions, details, descriptions, emphasis; so that you are comfortable with the possible spontaneity of your story and can make the most if it.
Find out in our training what you need to do to prepare the ground for spontaneity and make it work for you.
