One - Story

Trying to give a speech or make a connection with a fellow human can be difficult.  Trying to convey the message in a memorable way can be even more of a challenge at work.
Have you ever sat in on a lecture, sermon, or sales pitch and lost yourself?
It was probably because there was a story.  And, if the story was well presented, it was a tale that you could have experienced yourself, with just a little stretch.

When you tell these stories, you are doing a few things.  Each of them has a different impact on the audience.

To begin, you have to understand that not everyone will hear your story the same way.  Not everyone will get the message you intend.  This isn't your "fault."  It isn't anyone's "fault." It is just the way it is.  Of course, you can get most of the people to hear what you want them to hear.

So, you have your message, all tidy and neat.  Let's take an example:  You are the manager in a call center.  Your "job" is to make sure the people in the call center meet the company metrics.  Sure, you can argue that your job is to be supportive and understanding, to teach people how to be empathetic over the phone, to help people recognize early when the lead is viable or when the lead is just leading the caller on.  Those are all valid points.  However, you get paid for one simple thing:  hitting your numbers.  And, if you don't get paid, your family doesn't get food, clothing or shelter.

So, your message:  "Make your numbers."

You can come in at 9AM, starting the rant and gradually building up to a low shout, sprinkling your language with colorful colloquialisms,...  You can do that.  The audience will remember you were upset, feel like they were the cause, and self-sabotage their own performance for the rest of the day.

You can also send your message in high-speak, talking of successes with ample sports references that have nothing to do with sales.

Or, you can find a simple and elegant story, deliver it with precision and craft, and motivate your team to make the numbers.  If they hear the correct motivator, it will come through in their speech and be convincing to others.  It is contagious.

So, the "correct" story?  If you do it well, it can last months.  Seriously, some of the self-help people have made careers out of a single story.

What makes the good story?  You, the teller, can remember it.  You own the story.  You can answer questions about the behind the scenes of the story.

See, when you are the expert, the guru, the story tends to tell itself.  And, amazingly, due to the millions of years humans have relied on one another to "know" things, the expert is believed.  Not just believed, but trusted as good old Real Truth.  It has to do with the way we are wired.

I'll be writing quite a few "kinda-likes" in this blog.  Really bad stories.

Remember, a good story is when you, the teller, are the expert.