Storytelling & Corporate Wellness

The biggest challenge companies face today is how to tell or rather sell, their own story! For everything in the market is defined by the power of storytelling. For stories are how we connect with each other, they are powerful & important ways to tell people who we are and what we do, what we stand by & dream of… but when it comes to corporations, sometimes, they spend big bucks in hiring brand managers & think of building their own brand, whilst totally forgetting or ignoring the impact storytelling can have on their own employees. A crucial part of employee wellness is a holistic & empathetic approach at work culture. And here in, storytelling can be a powerful tool to ensure the employees feel connected, trusted, inspired & motivated. Research proves that storytelling helps in building trust, connection, sensitivity, inclusion & as a result ensures high levels of motivation, reduced absenteeism & more productivity. So the central question is, how can companies use the power of storytelling in shaping their own narrative of a healthy work culture ? Here a few ways to think about it:- 1. Sharing circles: taking some time out from a busy week, sitting in a group & just having a talk can be very beneficial in employees feeling heard, cared for & seen. When employees are looked after, they feel they are more than just a name on the excel sheet. 2. Mental Health One on Ones: the experience of the pandemic, gave a positive turn to conversations around mental health & wellbeing, as a result many corporations hired counsellors & provided employee therapy. A check in, or a 30 minute chat with a senior member of the team can add a personal touch of care & belonging to the morale of the employee. 3. Creativity & Action: storytelling in the company can also instill out of the box thinking, going beyond stereotypes, focus on diversity & inclusion & become a positive call for change and action. Stories of courage & hope can lead to employees feeling inspired & motivated to aspire, grow & change. 4. Fun, play and banter: sharing each other's stories & experiences can also make showing up at work exciting & joyous. Sharing stories can empower employees to feel vulnerable, have a sense of community & belonging. Events like Mothers Day storytelling contests or sharing personal stories around common festivals can also be a great way of talking about life, culture & tradition. Corporations can work towards using storytelling as a powerful tool when planning their annual corporate wellness programs. They can do so by hiring professionals, corporate wellness planners, organizing workshops, monthly sessions that focus on sharing, empathy & trust building, thereby creating a healthy and productive work atmosphere.