Lawyers use stories

The following article was sent to me and I found it fascinating, lawyers admitting to telling stories to win. Actually the article is very good and focuses on the importance of telling stories from different perspectives. That's a great way to see holes in your arguments as well as learning to walk in someone elses shoes for awhile.

Here is the link. http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/2009/07/little-red-riding-hood-was-no-victim-the-wolf-was-framed.html

More Blogs on Stories in Business

A colleague of mine just sent this link to a discussion on storytelling in business. Interesting article, short, with some good follow up comments. Stories in business are indeed growing. Tell, connect, sell.

http://blogs.bnet.com/mba/?p=923&tag=homeCar

Tell Your Own Story

This past weekend I spent some time with family. My brother-in-law's brother-in-law cornered me. He said, "You're a storyteller, I have a funny story that I bet you will like. If you like it you probably can use it somehow and improve it and tell it even better than I can."

I hear this all the time and then I hear a funny, touching, interesting story. This weekend was no different. The story was quite humorous, told fairly well. Some of it was funny because I know the person and know how out of his comfort zone he was in the story. Some of it was just plain funny no matter who it would have happened to.

I'm sure I can tell the story and get a laugh or two but it definitely will not be the same because it is not my story. You are the best teller of your stories. Others might be able to retell the story but unless they study the story a lot they will miss the emotional connection that you have and that makes it that much more interesting coming from you. Don't give away your story, tell it yourself proudly.

The List

I was doing a bit of spring cleaning today and came across a handout I received at a Toastmasters meeting. The excerpt comes from Robert Fulghum's "What on Earth Have I Done". On page 65 he starts a list he calls Conversation Lifeboats. Basically it is a list of opening lines for when you are thrown in with strangers and don't know how to break the ice. A great list for wary networkers.

What I particularly liked was at the end he says "Everybody has a story to tell and a willingness to tell it if asked. Everybody knows things you don't know, but wish you did." Remember this, people are willing to talk but you have to ask and then show a willingness to listen. This goes for those tight lipped teenagers and seniors who seem to sit quietly by. Ask and you shall receive. In this case you may receive some wonderful information, fun and connections to others.

Stories for Fundraising

Some time ago a colleague sent her normal weekly news notes but with a twist. This one time instead of talking about her expertise topic she talked about her grandson's diabetes. She explained his need to test his sugars 4-5 times a day and that now he no longer needs to take insulin shots because of a computerized pump he wears around his waist.

She crafted the short (about 6 lines) story to educate and pluck our heart strings just a bit. Her last line is about the advances made so far to allow the pump but that more are needed so that her grandson can be like other children sneaking chips, or licking the frosting bowl when Ahma is making a cake.

She then had a short plea to get involved with juvenile diabetes and help raise funds for research. Beautiful, she captured our attention with the story, educated us to the need, touched us emotionally and then had a call to action. Great example for any persuassive piece. Don't forget the story but keep it short and engaging.

The Universality of Story

In the most recent edition of Speaker, magazine publication of the National Speakers Association, I found a great quote. In the article "A Positive Outlook" Suzie Humphreys is being interviewed about her business. She relays a situation that occurred to her during one of her presentations, she became ill and had to leave the stage. When she returned she told the audience why she had run out "they howled with laughter". Her wrap up quote is from Rembrandt, "That which is most personal is most universal."

This is the very point I make with many clients. It they are willing to tell a personal story they will connect with any audience. The American Idol like show now playing in Arab countries proves that we humans are more alike than we are different. Our basic human experiences will connect us. Think about that the next time you are looking for a story to include in a presentation. Keep it simple and enjoy the camaraderie it engenders.

CEO Storyteller

Here is a link to an online article from Forbes about the importance of CEO's being good storytellers. I'm not talking about make believe stories but the ones that legends are built on.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/15/ceo-storytelling-communication-leadership-ceonetork-varghese.html

A CEO with a good story will inspire and unite his company. So what's your story?