Being able to communicate is “one of the most important skills you can develop” (“Beautiful Conversations”). But what exactly is involved in cultivating this skill? 

Think about your daily activities. Do you speak to your cashier at the grocery store? To your next-door neighbor? To the family walking their dogs on your daily run? All of these conversations probably differ in length, in topic, and in detail. Let’s say the neighbor has lived next to you for the last five years. He or she probably knows your kids names and maybe noticed you got a new car a few months ago. Maybe you share a camaraderie with him or her about the Eagles winning the SuperBowl in 2018. We build relationships almost every day. Research finds that “building [these] relationships is the groundwork that must be laid before anything else gets done…” (Anxer). 

Building the foundation for relationships, whether personal or professional, require a level of communication that goes beyond the surface. But how do you get there? How do you reach people on a level that is not so easily accessible? “[Storytelling] enables people to connect across” different cultures, beliefs, and environments (Saltmarshe). Using your story and your personal experiences break down barriers and start the framework for a successful relationship. 

Here are some of the best storytelling practices: 

1. Be truthful. “The more personal your story, often the more impactful it will be on your listeners” (“Storytelling”). You’ve heard the cliche of “honesty is the best policy” but nothing rings more true than when it comes to telling your truth. Relationships aren’t built on fiction and neither should your first communication. 

2. Show empathy. When you put yourself in someone else’s shoes, you immediately show that person that you are willing to “feel uncomfortable”, which in turn makes them “more inclined to want to get to know you” (Drumm). We truly begin to understand one another when we step out of our shoes and into someone else’s. 

3. Body language is key. Being an attentive listener and a passionate speaker convey to the other person that you want open lines of communication. Statistics show that “55 percent of communication is done through body language” (“Beautiful Conversations”). When our body is open then our mind can be open, allowing for a deeper connection. 

4. Be passionate. Think of any good story you’ve heard in the last few years. Did that person show a certain passion for what they were saying? “Passion is infectious and stimulates other people” (“Beautiful Conversations”). 

Taking the communication plunge and diving into the unknown depth of a new relationship can ultimately enhance our connection to those around us. 

Click here to know how More Than A Meal helps these storytellers blossom!

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