What kind of stories best showcase an organisation’s “why work with us” message?

The deep and meaningful moments, where a team member has overcome a significant personal or professional challenge to finally find a workplace where great culture, purpose, and impact align?

Or the everyday stories that at first glance may seem small, but often speak to something much deeper?

The answer is both.

As a Senior Storyteller at Employer Branding Australia, I not only have a pretty neat job title, but I also get to hear some amazing stories.

I talk with people from all sorts of organisations about what motivates them to do what they do, with the organisations they choose to do it with.

It’s always a privilege when someone feels safe to share their deeply human, personal story with me, so I can craft it into a written piece that both they and their organisation are proud to share.

Sometimes, organisations express concern that they don’t have enough of these profound stories. And I often hear from the people I interview, “I’m not sure what you’re going to write, I’m not very interesting!”

The truth is that everyone has something interesting to share. And not all stories need to be hard-hitting and emotional.

If you want to connect with your current and future talent through authentic storytelling, often, it’s the everyday stories that work best. Here’s why these seemingly ordinary moments can be extraordinarily powerful.

1. They bring your day-to-day culture to life

Stories of kindness, teamwork and support speak volumes about an organisation’s workplace culture and values. Ask your people about a moment in the workplace that mattered to them. It might be something as simple as a team leader shouting their colleagues a coffee, the CEO taking out the rubbish at the end of the day, the weekly after-work barbecue, or colleagues banding together to help a team member move house.

These are all real stories I’ve heard through my work at EBA, and they meant a great deal to the people who shared them with me. They also give a wonderful insight into what it’s like to work at their organisations.

2. They speak to what matters most

For so many people, connection is what they crave. Knowing they are heard and listened to, that they’re valued for who they are, and that they belong.

Think about how this plays out in your workplace. It can be through important large-scale initiatives, such as annual awards programs and employee advocacy groups.

But it can also be much simpler: a co-worker bringing you a cup of tea during a challenging day, the manager who asks how your child's soccer game went on the weekend, or the supervisor who knows your interest in project management and asks if you would like to co-lead an upcoming project. It's being asked for your input, not being afraid to speak up when you don't understand something, and feeling safe to share a different point of view.

3. It’s easier for people to see themselves working with you

These everyday moments help potential candidates think, “I can see myself fitting in here.” Often, it’s the relatable scenarios rather than extraordinary achievements that people can connect with and relate to.

They also reassure both future and current talent that their contributions matter, even when they’re not “making headlines”. By validating small acts of kindness, collaboration and support, it demonstrates that your organisation values every person and contribution.

So, whether you want to drive pride amongst your current team, reinforce their decision to join you, or help future talent envision themselves as part of your organisation, remember that the most powerful stories often come from the most ordinary moments. Sometimes, it's these everyday experiences that reveal the most extraordinary truths about who you are as an employer.