In 2020, I took a Story Skills Workshop (by Seth Godin and Bernadette Jiwa). I have to say that I learned quite a lot, and not what I was expecting to learn. This was the first session in what is to be a workshop offered repeatedly. I highly, highly recommend it. Seth and Bernadette offer a series of online lessons, released over time. There are about 6 expert coaches, and the instruction is to sign up for an interest group or ‘accountability group’. You’re given a story structure (the 5 C’s: Context, Catalyst, Complication, Consequence) and then specific lessons to write and polish specific elements of your own story in this framework. The cool part is the instruction to ‘first write your own story, and then go comment on at least 5 others.’
- I learned that it is possible, in an online-only course, to develop a sense of community and collegiality in a short 30 days.
- I learned that it is crucial to be gentle in first contact with others online. For example, when giving feedback on others’ stories, DO NOT start right in with ‘why don’t you add more Emotion to that moment in your story?’ You’ll learn (as did I) that conversation either stops or becomes defensive. Remember that online conversations carry ZERO nonverbal: no Kind tone of voice, no Friendly posture. All you see are the words, and it is automatic to imagine them coming from a frowning critic with crossed arms shaking his head.
- Instead, try something my theater-trained son taught me: ‘I like… I wish… What if …’ Framing any response this way allows your recipient to hear something positive, then a neutrally posed concern, followed by a tentative suggestion. Having been on both sides of such a well-formed critique, I can say: it is EASY to write, doesn’t take longer, and on the receiving end FEELS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. It feels like a close friend, reaching a hand over to pull you up to a higher step.
CMIO’s take? Story telling: cool. Gentle, effective feedback: cooler. Don’t we all need to get better at this?
