The power of stories

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. John Berger
  • 321st Air Mobility Operations Squadron

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Since the dawn of time, humans have shared stories.  Before people could write, history was recorded through storytelling. Still today, people latch on to information that is passed in the form of a story. It’s why movies are so popular, why we read to our children at night and why we share “war stories” around the water cooler. Stories are a critical way we share information, connect with people and ultimately build teams. 

Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III always said, “Every Airman has a story.  If you want to lead the Airman, you have to learn their story.”  It is imperative for Airmen at all levels to learn the stories of the Airmen we lead and work with.  Take time to ask questions like, where are you from? What do you do in your free time?  Why did you join the Air Force? 

It’s also important to learn what makes that Airman tick. Sometimes, it takes a while for them to open up. You may have to share your stories first before they feel comfortable. Be persistent. Show them that you’re interested and that you care. As the old saying goes, “Airmen don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Sharing stories is a great way to show you care. 

Just as sharing stories is a powerful way to connect with individual Airmen, it is also an effective tool for leaders to connect with large groups. The next time you want to get a point across to your team, consider using a story from your life that emphasizes the importance of the point you’re trying to make. For example, during a recent Resilience Tactical Pause, I shared a story about the time I was hit by a truck. I talked about my internal struggles and the depression I felt.  Then I talked about my road to recovery and all the wingmen who helped me along the way. I’m certain that talking about resilience in this way was more effective than going through a PowerPoint presentation with generic bullets.

Lastly, when you brag about or write about the great things Airmen do, try to frame their accomplishments in the form of stories. For officer and enlisted performance reports this can be tough. But things like award packages and recommendation letters will hit the mark better if you can encapsulate their deeds with stories. Additionally, when a senior leader visits and wants to know how your team is doing, don’t dump a bunch of numbers on them.  Think of a good story that highlights how your team accomplishes the mission. They’ll remember that.

So when it comes to talking about your mission, leading Airmen, addressing resiliency or building the team, put the numbers aside and tell a story with a targeted message.