Depok-Storytelling is something that has become part of humans as social creatures. Starting from the ancestors of modern humans who told stories using the medium of sculpture, the science of storytelling continues to evolve until now. This statement was delivered by Yoris Sebastian, Author of Meaningful Storytelling Book and Founder and Creative Thinker of OMG Consulting and Umayanti Utami, Co-Author of Meaningful Storytelling Book and Business Director of OMG Consulting at a public lecture entitled “Meaningful Storytelling” in the Vocational Education Program Auditorium , Universitas Indonesia (UI) on October 9, 2023.
The public lecture activity was opened by the Head of the Department of Applied Social Humanities, Dr. Budiman Mahmud Musthofa, S.Sos., M.Si. “This public lecture which focuses on storytelling is relevant to students of the Public Relations study program. After graduating, they will undertake many communication programs and need the ability to ‘captivate’ many people,” said Budiman.
Umayanti shared her experience at PT Tupperware Indonesia which manages storytelling with a social program caring for children’s health called “Aku Anak Sehat”. In this program, Umayanti provided healthy lifestyle education in an elementary school. Tupperware built hand washing facilities at the elementary school and educated teachers and parents to help guide students. After holding this program, students began to change healthy lifestyles and parents became more aware of healthy lifestyles. This proves that storytelling has succeeded in having a good impact on the audience.
(Photo: Giving away a book entitled Meaningful Storytelling written by Yoris and Umayanti)
In this public lecture, Yoris and Umayanti explained the definition of storytelling according to various opinions, one of which is the opinion of neuroscientists. “According to neuroscientists, storytelling is a way to transfer memories throughout the brain to other people. “In storytelling, we exchange memories with the audience,” said Yoris. “However, in another definition, we can build the reputation we have with storytelling. The parameters of good and bad reputation will be measured by the tone of the information conveyed,” added Umayanti.
During the public lecture, they expressed their hopes for the progress and development of storytelling among young people in Indonesia. “Young people today are storytellers, the difference is through content. We hope you can pursue the essence without the hype. “Be it a storyteller who communicates certain goals or who inspires action,” said Yoris.
“We hope that young people like you can create bold, quality content. “You don’t need to worry, improve your storytelling skills by being willing to practice public speaking,” said Umayanti. At the end of the public lecture, Yoris and Umayanti presented their newly released 11th book, namely “Meaningful Storytelling”.
The book tells about the experiences of several national and international figures regarding their struggles and success in the industrial world thanks to storytelling. Not only that, the history of storytelling is also written down to the appropriate steps and composition in creating an essential storytelling topic.
