Using conflict stories to spark conversation

As I’ve been speaking with different groups (including the Masters of Vyond event in Berlin…see #Bringing stories to life), I’ve started each session with a story that contains conflict. Often, I create that story in Vyond. The audience sees relatable characters in strong conflict, which produces a desire for resolution. The room comes alive with conversation. Participants are critically thinking, trying to figure things out on their own…because the story doesn’t tell them what they need to know…it simply shows the conflict and respects their abilities to solve problems and share their solutions. It’s an exciting way to design. It’s an exciting way to learn.

Here is an example of such a story that I created for a customer service team. As you watch it, ask yourself:

HOW DO I FEEL?

WHY DO I FEEL THAT WAY?

If you feel a desire for resolution at the end of the video, the story has done its work. I used this video to train a group of Customer Service Reps for 6 hours of instruction in total. The story gave us everything we needed to discuss every skill that needed practice.

What do you think? How do you use stories in training?