Archive | User Engagement

The Art and Science of Patient Storytelling: Harnessing Narrative Communication for Behavioral Intervention

Emotive Storytelling: Narrative communication is a powerful strategy for influencing health behavior.

Emotive Storytelling:
Narrative is a powerful strategy for influencing health behavior.

With the increasing interest in the use of narrative communication as a strategy for influencing health behavior, there has been an effort to develop standardized protocols for creating engaging stories and to determine the successful components of an effective story.  Continue Reading →

Is Brand Storytelling the Ultimate Weapon?

Much like a trojan horse, a story can penetrate into the fortified citadel of the human mind.

Much like a trojan horse, a story can penetrate into the fortified citadel of the human mind.

This is simple truth so I’ll get right to it. People are moved by emotion. Emotion trumps reason. There is no better way to engage and emotionally connect other people to your mission than through the power of storytelling. This applies whether you are in Pentagon, boardroom, break room, waiting room or living room. Continue Reading →

Healing Combat Trauma with Humorous Stories and Laughter

Soldiers Peter Nemmers, Morgan Bright and Matthew Hildebrandt from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division laugh while preparing to depart from Iraq at Imam Ali Base on December 17.(Mario Tama/Reuters)

Soldiers Peter Nemmers, Morgan Bright and Matthew Hildebrandt from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division laugh while preparing to depart from Iraq at Imam Ali Base on December 17. (Mario Tama/Reuters)

The last place you would probably expect to find a standup comedian would be in an Army uniform. But there I was for the better part of a decade, trying to make one of the most dangerous chapters of my life a laughing matter. Not because I didn’t take the Army seriously, much to the contrary. I took it very seriously, which is why when the laughter stopped I was in big trouble. Continue Reading →

It’s All About Behavior Change

Dr. Gerard Gibbons, Director/Author

Let me ask you a question. What do these concepts have in common?

Prevention, compliance, marketing, sales, assertive communication, setting limits, and incentives.

Look closely. The commonality may not be obvious because they are each associated with diverse areas of endeavor including medicine, business, interpersonal relationships, morale building and parenting.

Give up? Continue Reading →

Stories are Infectious

Dr. Gerard Gibbons, Director/Author

Tell me a story.

How often have you heard that? As a parent, no doubt you have – many times from your kids.  Hello, I’m Dr. Gerard Gibbons founder of emotivestorytelling.com. There is always a tug on my heart when my little girl says daddy, tell me a story. And of course I love tell her stories. This is Emotive Storytelling. Continue Reading →

Inspired Listening

Emotive Storytelling Creative ListeningWe’ve all faced a scenario like this: we sit through a meeting, presentation or conference, listen to catch what we can, take lots of notes, and then think to ourselves “Good—I got it” as the situation ends.

But did we really?

Did we understand what the speaker was trying to communicate?

Continue Reading →

Emotive Storytelling: The Me To We Factor

Dr. Gerard Gibbons, Director/Author

Let me tell you a story about what a guy named Peter Guber has learned about storytelling.  Peter Guber is a successful film producer whose films have earned over 3 billion dollars and have captured 50 Academy Award nominations.  He is also an owner of two major league sports franchises.  So he’s got some cred.  Continue Reading →

The Best Story Wins

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The Best Story Wins

Years ago, mealtimes in many homes meant story time – retellings of work experiences, report cards and bargains. When friends, uncles and aunts came to visit and mealtimes were longer, there was more storytelling, gossiping and laughing. (And yes, crying and arguing were part of those stories, too.)  Continue Reading →

King Cognos and The Wrong Brain™

King Cognos and The Wrong Brain™   ©2013

Let us tell you a story. In fact, even better… a fairy tale!  Once upon a time long ago in a kingdom far away, there were no written words.  Just stories — and everything important was taught through them.  Generation after generation shared and passed on these stories.   Continue Reading →