The Persuasive Power of Storytelling

Stories are everywhere—woven into the fabric of our lives. Sometimes they’re obvious, like a moving speech or a gripping novel. Other times, they’re subtle, quietly shaping our thoughts and decisions. For centuries, stories have been a cornerstone of human connection, used to pass down wisdom, share experiences, and rally support for important causes.

Today, storytelling is an essential tool in countless settings—politics, marketing, courtrooms, advocacy, personal relationships, negotiations, public speaking, and leadership. In this webinar, we’ll dive into the art and science of storytelling in professional contexts. You’ll learn how to craft stories that captivate attention, earn trust, and inspire action. Whether you’re looking to lead a team, pitch an idea, or simplify a complex message, storytelling is your secret weapon.

What makes stories so powerful? One key element is narrative transportation—that feeling of being fully immersed in a book, movie, or conversation. When people are drawn into a story, they’re more open to new perspectives and more likely to shift their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Imagine harnessing that power to make your ideas unforgettable and your influence undeniable.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This webinar is appropriate for:

• Individuals who have great ideas but aren’t sure how to gain support or resources for those ideas.
• Leaders who are looking to inspire people to follow them, including aspirational leaders who want to informally lead within an organization.
• Individuals who are interested in professional and personal development.

• Identify and understand the main characteristics/features of stories.
• Understand how the brain reacts to stories and what happens chemically in the human body when stories are used as a persuasive tool.
• Start to create stories that are more engaging, interesting, and call people to action.

PRESENTER
Dr. Kris May is adjunct faculty at DePaul’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies. She specializes in graduate level coursework focused on improving management and leadership capabilities. Specifically, she most recently taught Positive Leadership and Graduate Student Success courses for the MAAPS program for working adults.

Kris has a Ph.D. in Strategic Communication from the University of Utah, an MBA from Utah State University, and a B.S. in Management from the University of Utah. Her research has focused on the persuasive power of storytelling and organizational communication. She was recently selected for a top research paper award from the National Communication Association and was also selected to present at the International Communication Association.

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