Bob Glover
Coach
This is my mantra…
In the telling of stories we validate our experience and create the context that leads to better understanding.
Most of us don’t realize the power of our stories.
We organize our lives through stories. They are the “Roots” story of your family that gives your life some sort of historical context and identity. They are the intimate, personal stories you tell yourself when you look in the mirror every morning. It is the story you represent in your interactions with business partners and loved ones. This is big stuff!
When you close an important deal did you ever stop to ask yourself what did that investor, what did the customer, what did my child just “buy.” You were good… you were clear on the features and benefits… you had all the statistics… the numbers were great… the plan was tight. But what did they really buy?
I would suggest that all of those details are important, but your investor, your child, that customer didn’t buy the detail. They bought the story behind those details and that includes you as the storyteller.
So, Who are we as storytellers? How do we choose the stories we tell? Where do we tell our stories? How well do we tell those stories?
Can you feel yourself sliding down the slippery slope of executive presence, personal brand, effective communications? I hope so. Where do you want to go next?
Disclaimer: Like a carpenter with a hammer who sees everything as a nail. I am a storyteller…
This article orginally appeared on the Richard Levin & Associates website