4 minute read
Telling tales Magoo Giles, Principal, Knightsbridge School
Telling tales
The Principal of Knightsbridge School, Magoo Giles, explores the role of storytelling as a powerful tool for education and connecting people
This is a story about four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was a job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. This story may be confusing but the message is clear: no one took responsibility, so nothing was accomplished.
What is a good story? What is storytelling?
Well, people love a good story, whether it's a life journey, a lesson, or a joke.
Stories teach us all about life, about ourselves, and about others. In a unique way, they help us to develop an understanding, respect, and appreciation of other cultures. They also help us build our own stories as we go along, with any luck, educating, influencing, and inspiring others. Remember, we are all different learners. 40 per cent of us are visual learners who learn through watching — videos, illustrations, diagrams; 40 per cent are auditory — lectures, discussions; and 20 per cent are kinaesthetic learners — that is, ‘hands on’. As a result, it is important to remember all three categories when telling a story. The best course I ever attended was about inclusion. The speaker was an ex-teacher who asked his audience to turn to each other and devise a lesson suitable for Roger Federer (sport and languages), the AA Man (skills), Beethoven (music), the Princess of Wales (showing my age, but an empathetic champion), William Shakespeare (English specialist), Christopher Wren (architect), and Claude Monet (artist).
After a few minutes of ideas, he said: “This is what any teacher has in their class — each with the potential to be the best in their field.” As teachers it is important not to close doors to incredibly gifted children just because they are late developers or cannot learn the way we teach. Good teachers adapt and teach children according to their way of learning. All those who are celebrated in their fields were once children and look at them now.
When it comes to a good story, it is often how you tell it that brings the learning, keeps the subject alive, and creates the immersive experience that allows different learners to engage, enjoying the dynamism and style of an entertaining tale. I always remember what my General in the British Army used to say to me, “A minute of speech takes an hour of rehearsal,” and, “If you are not good at it, keep it short and memorable.” A sound piece of advice. When it comes to, ‘What makes a good story?’, often, it’s quitting while you are ahead.
Keep the audience guessing! If the audience feels a glow and departs wanting more, then your story has been a success. Or, as one related piece of advice I live by daily suggests, ‘Remember that it is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than open it and remove all doubt.’
When it comes to the things in life we all hold in high esteem — our family, friends, community, country — the stories we all hold in common are important in the times that test us. Even in business, storytelling is essential to set the scene, to tell the history, to prepare the team for the future, the tough times, so that the high standards or quality of both output and delivery can be maintained. When Dukes Education started, it was important to find a way to bring different
schools and individuals together to build up trust and teamwork. Stories played a crucial role. When the leadership teams were first brought together for training, each person was asked to work out their own story and be prepared to deliver it to the rest of the group. This included Heads, Principals, Bursars. Why? Well, it helped us to work out who we are and learn to articulate our own journeys, where we have come from and what has made us who we are. My mother’s poignant, final words to me resonate with me always, “Never forget what made you who you are today!” The process was powerful. It enabled all of us to begin to connect in a way that transcended daily work life. In telling our stories and hearing those of others, we began to realise how important the tough moments are in anyone's story. It is as if good storytelling unlocks feelings. A story is a way to open up to others. They can learn about us through the power of words, often laughing, crying, and sharing time together. It creates an opportunity for understanding and empathy for each individual and his or her situation. It is a reciprocal process — a chance for each of us to share and learn why we are who we are and what qualities or standards we aspire to role-model. n
Magoo Giles is Principal of Knightsbridge School, a happy, vibrant, and community-focused school in the heart of London educating girls and boys from ages 4-16.
