Why HR Needs to Master Storytelling to Be Heard
Storytelling for HR Teams
Strategic HR initiatives often lose traction because they’re presented logically — but not compellingly.
Neuroscience shows that humans are hardwired to respond to story. Story activates emotional and sensory centres in the brain, making ideas more memorable, more relatable, and more likely to motivate action.
At Threshold, we help HR professionals shape their messages as stories, drawing on narrative psychology, cognitive science, and journalism—so the business not only hears, but engages.
Today’s workplaces are noisy, distracting, and pressurized. The marketplace for messages is highly competitive. HR has to grab attention quickly. And a story is far more powerful than a typical slide deck. Strategic HR initiatives often lose traction because they’re presented logically – but not compellingly.
HR Business Partner
We worked with an HR Business Partner who was tasked with promoting a new Talent Mobility Programme.
The case for the programme seemed obvious. It had delivered proven results in other organisations. It offered employees the chance to gain experience across different roles, while giving the organisation a clearer view of its talent – helping people play to their strengths across the business.
And yet, every time she presented the idea to the Extended Leadership Team, the room went quiet.
“It’s like a tumbleweed moment,” she told us.
So, we encouraged her to ditch the slide deck and tell a story.
She told the story of Judith.
In one version, Judith was a talented graduate who joined the organisation full of potential. But she struggled to find her place. She felt overlooked, underused, and disconnected from where value was really created. Eventually, she left to join a competitor.
In another version, Judith was given the chance to try different roles, meet people across the business, and understand the bigger picture. And when a critical role opened up, Judith was ready – already known, already trusted, and able to hit the ground running without a costly external hire.
The room leaned in. People recognised the pattern. Everyone knew a Judith – or had been a Judith themselves.
And the conversation shifted. The programme was approved. Stories change minds.
The science backs it up. Research from Stanford shows that we remember information 22 times longer when it’s delivered as a story, compared to data or slides alone.
Why HR Needs to Master Storytelling to Be Heard
Storytelling also activates neural mirroring, a process where our brains sync up when we share stories. This builds connection, increases trust, and makes messages land. What’s more, there is some evidence that storytelling directly accesses the ventromedial prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain most associated with emotion that drives behaviour change.
Authentic Storytellers
At Threshold, we enable HR professionals to boost their power to influence by becoming intuitive, authentic storytellers.
We use:
- Immersive theatre – to show how stories land under real-world pressure.
- Cognitive storytelling tools – drawn from influence research and strategic communication.
- Coaching and feedback – so HR professionals learn what works, and why.
HR professionals who communicate through story are more relatable, more credible, and more likely to influence action
Practical Storytelling Tips for HR
- Start with a human, not a framework – help people see the story before the process.
- Use contrast – show what’s at stake by painting two different outcomes.
- Keep it concrete – make it real and relatable.
- Link to business impact – show the “so what”.
- Help people see themselves – make the story personal
At Threshold, we are helping our clients to ensure that their human workforce is committed, engaged and ready for the technology revolution. We do this by bringing about small shifts in line manager behaviour that make a big difference. To find out more visit www.threshold.co.uk
