The secret to you becoming a great communicator is Storytelling.
Engage, inspire, lead, transform.
theWholeStory: specialists in storytelling for communication, change and leadership since 2006.
“You’re never going to kill storytelling, because it’s built into the human plan. We come with it.”
Margaret Atwood
Storytelling, your communication toolkit.
Communication is often described as a “soft skill”, yet in reality it directly impacts the speed and quality of decision-making, alignment across teams, employee engagement and the ability to execute strategy and bring about change.
We work with the full picture of what makes communication powerful: the thinking behind it, the story that carries it and the person who tells it.
These things are inseparable and developing all three is what transforms communication from information into impact.
Tell us what's happening and we'll show you what's possible
At the heart of what we do is help people use storytelling to bring out their natural strengths.
To be more human, more empathetic and more impactful in the way they communicate and lead.
We believe the best communication is not about presentation, but connection.
That’s what we help people build.
Our workshops, training and coaching cover the full range of what great communication requires.
Storytelling: The Methodology of Communication
Our storytelling methodology is there so leaders and teams can communicate well, so they move faster, collaborate more effectively and build stronger trust internally and externally.
Voice, Body, Space.
Storytelling is as much about the teller as it is about the story, and this work focuses specifically on developing the voice, body and presence that allow communication to land with the power and authenticity it deserves.
Coaching: The Whole Communicator
Individual development, going deeper into our methodologies and approaches for high-stakes moments, to refine a leadership voice or build long-term capability in how you express and present yourself.
Share what you’re working on and we’ll show you how our training and coaching can achieve your goals.
Three ways storytelling transforms how you work.
Investigate and Understand.
In complex, fast-paced or changing environments, leaders and teams often struggle to find a shared understanding of ideas, strategy, purpose or direction.
With storytelling they can make sense and plan, understand the big picture, find the detail they were missing, make the unknown tangible and develop the clarity of voice and presence to carry it with conviction.
Disconnection across teams and a lack of shared culture can lead to low engagement and weak collaboration.
Our application of storytelling builds trust, connection and a sense of belonging through what is said, how it is said and the physical openness and energy with which it is delivered.
People understand each other, share values and feel part of the same story, creating a stronger, more unified culture.
Connect and Engage.
Great ideas and strategies often fail because they aren't communicated in a way that connects to emotions and drives action. Messages get lost, misunderstood or fail to inspire.
We help you use your inbuilt storytelling tools to make ideas clear, relatable and motivating, shaping not just the content but the voice, presence and physicality that makes it land, so people not only understand what needs to happen, but feel compelled to make it happen.
Communicate to Make it Happen
Sample our work to discover how we transform leaders and teams into the communicators they need to be.
Curiosity, creativity and two decades of practical experience.
Lily and Josh’s curiosity about how the practical, enduring and dynamic methods of storytelling could support modern working life led us to found theWholeStory in 2006.
In 2014, Ben Joiner joined our core team. His depth of expertise in how voice and body are essential elements of communication, completed the strength of our offer.
With backgrounds in storytelling, performance and theatre direction, we brought a wealth of lived experience, insight and hands-on skill. Responding to the real needs, challenges and aspirations of our clients we’ve created and shaped practical tools our clients can use to communicate and lead with greater clarity, authenticity and impact.
We love seeing people grow in confidence, mastering creative approaches to connect more meaningfully with others and move their work, teams and ideas forward.
Lily, Josh and Ben.
