Karla Brandau/How To Use Storytelling to Advance Your Career

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How To Use Storytelling to Advance Your Career

  • Course
  • 42 Lessons

Storytelling to Advance Your Career solves the problems you have of not being heard or not being understood when offering your opinion, presenting vital information to your team, your manager or to upper leadership.

Upon completion of this course you will be more articulate as you present yourself with confidence, earning vast amounts of credibility.

In today’s competitive and fast-paced business world, facts and data alone aren’t enough to inspire action or loyalty. People don’t just follow leaders — they follow compelling narratives that connect with their emotions and values.

At its core, storytelling is about making meaning. It turns abstract ideas into tangible experiences and transforms information into emotion. Business leaders who master storytelling are able to give life to their vision, translate values into behaviors, and build bridges of understanding across diverse teams and stakeholders. It’s not just about entertainment — it’s about engagement, clarity, and the ability to move people toward shared goals.  

This workshop shows you how to harness the timeless art of storytelling to become a more influential, persuasive, and authentic team member and leader. Whether you’re leading change, presenting strategy, or trying to motivate a team, working to convince someone on the right course to pursue, your ability to tell the right story at the right time will make all the difference in your success.

Launch Date is October 1st. Join the Priority Waitlist to receive exclusive launch bonuses and private early-bird pricing - a look behind the curtain before anyone else. You'll also be guided on starting your Story Bank to make the most out of this course.

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Your Learning Experience

This workshop goes beyond theory.

At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to deliver a persuasive story or anecdote in a variety of situations and presentations.

With the worksheets given to you, you’ll leave this course with a practical, repeatable storytelling framework that you can apply immediately to a range of leadership, team presentations, or career growth opportunities.

In the time we spend together, you will become an expert in using the elements of a powerful story including: 

  • Mastering the Story Arc - Structure every story with a compelling beginning, meaningful conflict, and memorable resolution.

  • Harness the Neuroscience of Storytelling – Trigger emotion, build empathy, strengthen trust, and make your message unforgettable.

  • Move Beyond Facts to Influence – Learn how stories inspire action, change opinions, and gain buy-in where facts alone fall short.

  • Tailor Stories for Every Personality – Adapt your storytelling to engage the four DISC personality styles so every listener feels the message was meant for them.

This workshop is highly practical and hands-on. Rather than simply learning the principles of effective storytelling, you will develop a portfolio of stories you can use immediately in your leadership role. Throughout each module, you'll identify meaningful experiences, shape them into compelling stories, and refine them for maximum impact.

As you progress through the course, you'll create stories that:

  • Bring your organization's core values to life.

  • Inspire people to embrace a compelling vision of the future.

  • Help teams navigate uncertainty, disruption, and change with confidence.

  • Share your personal leadership journey in ways that build credibility, authenticity, and trust.

Throughout the program, you'll learn practical techniques to help you:

  • Discover the purpose behind every story so each one has a clear message and takeaway.

  • Tailor your stories to your audience so they resonate with different personalities, roles, and perspectives.

  • Craft messages that connect emotionally while reinforcing your key business objectives.

  • Make every story relevant by aligning it with your listeners' needs, concerns, and motivations.

  • Use vivid, descriptive language that creates memorable mental images and brings your message to life.

  • Communicate with clarity and precision so your audience easily understands and remembers your point.

  • Keep your stories concise and focused by eliminating unnecessary details and maintaining a clear purpose.

  • Stay on message by avoiding distractions and ensuring every element supports your desired outcome.

  • Create compelling stories that inspire action rather than simply sharing information.

  • Build alignment, gain buy-in, and influence decisions by using stories that connect people to a shared vision and purpose.

If you’re ready to stop talking and start telling stories that move people to act, this workshop is for you. You’ll gain the ability to make storytelling a strategic leadership skill in your toolkit, not just a communication technique. This is your opportunity to powerfully shape how people think and feel.

Whether you’re an experienced executive or an emerging leader, you’ll leave with new confidence, clarity, and communication skills that will elevate your leadership presence. Register today and become the kind of leader people don’t just listen to — they remember. 


What's Included In Your Storytelling Tool Kit

Every module is designed to help you learn, practice, and apply the art of storytelling with confidence. Throughout the course, you'll have access to:

  • Engaging video lessons

  • A comprehensive participant workbook for capturing and developing your story ideas

  • Thought-provoking articles and leadership insights

  • Practical assignments that turn concepts into real-world skills

  • A discounted Behavioral Assessment to better tailor your stories to different personality styles

  • Sound Bite strategies for delivering memorable, high-impact messages

  • Creative prop ideas to make your stories more engaging and memorable

  • Techniques for using vivid, picture-painting language

  • Interactive quizzes to reinforce key concepts

  • Downloadable Story Bank templates to organize and build your personal library of leadership stories

  • One hour of personal coaching on Zoom

Learning Modules

Introduction to Storytelling

Video Introduction: Why Do we Tell Stories?
What is Storytelling?
Why do we tell stories? They teach us, inspire us, and entertain us .. this has been true for centuries.
Article: Why Stories? Just look at the centuries of storytelling.
Article: Storytelling as an Evolved Cognitive Device

Module 1: The Neuroscience of Storytelling

Video Module One: The Neuroscience of Storytelling
Neuroscience of Storytelling Explains Why Stories Work
The Power of Engaging Multiple Brain Centers Simultaneously
Reflection Exercise: What Stories Do You Remember?
Article: Storytelling in Organizations: An Evolutionary Psychological Approach

Module 2: Storytelling for Shared understanding

Video: Storytelling for Shared Understanding
From My Brain to Your Brain
Article: How Do Stories Make Connections?
Personality Overview
What Part Does Personality Play in Misunderstandings?
Crafting Your Messages for Different Personalities.
Summary of Storytelling Components

Module 3: Facts TELL. Stories SELL.

Video Module Three: Facts TELL. Stories SELL
Stories Engage When Facts Fall Short
Article: Storytelling is more than Describing Facts
Article: Taming the Grapevine: How Storytelling Helps Leaders Control the Narrative
Assignment
QUIZ - Facts Tell. Stories Sell

Module 4: Refine the Message with Sound BItes

Video Module 4: Refine the Message
The Power of Sound Bites
Step One: Know Your Objective
Step Two: Plan How To Meet Your Objective
Step Three: Brainstorm Hooks

Module 5: Use Props and Vibrant Language to Convince Them!

Video Module Five: Use Props and Vibrant Language to Convince Them!
Convince With Props and Vibrant Language
Finishing Touches: Synonyms, Adjectives and Other Descriptive Words
Eliminate Vague Language. Create Details
Ask Pertinent Questions: They Will Persuade Themselves
The Silent Persuader: Why Body Language Is Your Most Powerful Leadership Tool
YouTube Videos Illustrating Body Language and Telling Stories

Module 6: Bringing it all together

Video: Summary
Bringing it all together - The Squirrel Effect
WIIFM - What Is In IT For Me?
Story Bank
Download Your Story Bank
Article: The Leader and Chess Principles

Karla Brandau and Brandau Power Institute

Karla Brandau, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), is an internationally recognized leadership expert, executive coach, author, and professional speaker who has spent more than three decades helping leaders become the kind of people others choose to follow. Throughout her career, she has worked with corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, manufacturers, nonprofits, and educational institutions, equipping managers and executives with practical leadership skills that improve communication, engagement, accountability, and organizational performance. Her philosophy is simple: leadership is not about authority—it is about influence, trust, and the ability to inspire people to do their best work.

Brandau Power Institute (BPI) was founded on that philosophy. The organization exists to develop leaders who create workplaces where people willingly contribute their discretionary effort—the extra energy, creativity, and commitment that cannot be demanded but must be earned. Through keynote presentations, consulting, coaching, behavioral assessments, and professional development programs, BPI has helped thousands of leaders strengthen communication, build trust, resolve conflict, and develop high-performing teams. Every program is grounded in practical workplace application so participants leave with tools they can use immediately.

Her popular leadership programs include:

  • Lead with Heart In the Age of AI

  • Behavioral Intelligence for AI-Era Team Performance - Includes a variety of Behavioral Assessment, including DISC, Driving Forces and Emotional Intelligence

  • Become An Irreplaceable Manager: Master Conversation Skills

  • Inspire Extra Mile Effort - The Leadership of One that inspires Discretionary Effort

  • Time for Results: Time Management That Works

Visit her website at: www.KarlaBrandau.com

Karla is good at listening to your program needs and customizing a program just for you. Book a callo to determine if what she can produce is good for you.

https://tidycal.com/karla5/15-minute-meeting

Why Karla Is Passionate About Teaching Storytelling