Storytelling for Public Servants: Turning Insights into Impact

Description

You have heard it before—"You should be using stories." But what does that actually mean in a public sector context? How do you tell a story without losing clarity, credibility, or wasting time?

Some hesitate to use storytelling at work, worried it might feel too emotional or informal. But the best leaders know that storytelling is not about theatrics—it is about making ideas stick. When used well, storytelling reinforces data, provides context, and helps decision-makers see the real-world impact behind the numbers.

This half-day workshop is designed for analysts, advisors, and anyone who prepares briefings, decks, or reports. If you have ever struggled to make your insights resonate, this session will show you how to apply storytelling in a way that fits a professional environment.

You will learn:

• The Essentials of Storytelling – What makes a story work, and how to use narrative techniques to sharpen your message.
• Anticipating Senior Leaders' Needs – How to structure information so it lands effectively with decision-makers.
• Storytelling and Data – How to use stories to reinforce a data-driven message—not replace it.

This is a safe, interactive session—participation is encouraged but always optional. Through hands-on exercises, you will not just learn about storytelling—you will see how it strengthens your ability to inform, persuade, and lead.

Duration:

• 3 hours, including brief intervals to ensure continuous engagement and learning absorption.

Facilitators

John Stroud is a strategic adviser to leaders on linking people with technology. His vision opens people’s minds to new possibilities, and he challenges them to consider creative options. People turn to John for plainspoken, easy-to-understand explanations.

John is a certified OpenExO consultant in exponential technologies. Prior to launching AI Guides, John served as Vice President, Strategy at a federal crown corporation ($600M budget and 8000+ workforce) with responsibilities for Governance, Human Resources, Communications, Legal, Performance Measurement and Risk.

John obtained his Masters of Philosophy from Oxford, his law degree and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Victoria, and his BA from the University of Toronto. He also obtained his ICD.D for completing the Director’s Education Program at the Institute of Corporate Directors.