In The Business Storyteller™ programme, we begin with a simple yet powerful exercise. Participants are asked to stand on one side of the room if they believe that they are good storytellers, and on the other if they are not. The room is usually divided. This exercise is repeated at the end of Day 2, after a segment called Business Storytime.
Regina Morris, one of our facilitators, shared what often happens at the end:
“By the end of Day 2 – after Business Storytime, where each participant presents a story that they have crafted – something remarkable usually happens: every single participant moves to the storyteller side without hesitation.”
This shouldn’t be surprising, as well-designed programmes in the hands of a capable facilitator should produce such outcomes. Yet every time it happens, it still feels like a small miracle to the trainer – a delight to witness.
Regina attributes this transformation to one-on-one coaching built into the programme’s design. She listens intently, helps to refine each narrative, and builds confidence. In one recent class, a participant who began the programme hesitant and speaking only in Malay, delivered her final story confidently in English. Another, burdened by personal challenges, found renewed clarity and energy through storytelling.
In each instance, the programme created moments of genuine breakthrough – reinforcing a core belief that we hold in People Potential: with the right design and expert facilitation, everyone has a storyteller within. Or, more broadly, training programmes are not just about knowledge and skills; they are also opportunities for personal change.