Spoke last week in Miami, and the presenter before me started out with a story, followed by another, and another. All linked to points. Brilliant, and so rare in business presentations today. He warmed up the audience, and I was grateful.
"Story" is the S of our SHARP principles, the sure fire way to connect with an audience (including an audience of one.) Story is critical to making your ideas sticky, in the vernacular of Malcolm Gladwell ("Blink") and the great new book just out that takes up where Malcolm left off, "Made To Stick." (Rush out and get it now, don't wait for our rave review coming next week.)
The Top Ten Reasons stories are useful and powerful:
- They are real
- They are short
- They are interesting
- They are human
- They give third party credibility
- They are easy to tell
- They are memorable
- They are emotionally connecting
- They move people
- They are the principle communication tool since Man began talking
What Others Say
To be a person is to have a story to tell.
-Isak Dinesen
The story is more important to me than the part.
-Catherine Deneuve
Of course it's the same old story. Truth usually is the same old story.
-Margaret Thatcher
A compelling story, even if factually inaccurate, can be more emotionally compelling than a dry recitation of the truth.
- Frank Luntz (Communication Specialist in language – also a political consultant)
Eighty percent of our life is emotion, and only 20 percent is intellect. I am much more interested in how you feel than how you think. I can change how you think, but how you feel is something deeper and stronger, and it's something that's inside you.
- Frank Luntz
THE USE OF STORIES IS A POWERFUL TOOL that aids in material retention, but methodologies of inclusion are rarely discussed. The desire to share emotions and effect the emotional states of others drives us to tell and retell stories. A story is a vector that spreads the information and emotion that is contained within it. No classroom or teacher is needed past the initial storytelling. We have been doing this for years in the form of childrens stories. It has been widely speculated that the story of Hantzel and Gretel is a cautionary tale used by elders to prevent children from wandering off into the dangers of the European forests alone.
https://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/storyemotions/index.htm
Jesus told stories and parables. He didn’t talk in concepts – he only needed stories, and he riveted peoples attention. Sowing seeds along the path, the rich young ruler, a house built on sand, faith growing like a mustard seed, and dozens more.
Remember, people buy on emotion and justify with fact.
A great resource for getting great at telling stories is Doug Stevenson's Story Theatre - and it pays as a communicator to get serious about storytelling. Create your communication experience.
Dan and Chip Heath’s book is one of the most important business books I’ve read in years — can’t wait to see your review.
Do you remember the name of the speaker who spoke before you? One of the interesting things about Made to Stick is that they talk about how to craft stories that are memorable. I’m curious if you remember the stories the speaker told or if you just remember that he or she was an engaging personality.
Wish I could have been down there for the show!
Buone…
Buone ragioni per raccontare storie C’è un’esperienza abbastanza frequente che mi capita quando parlo in aula o a convegni: io parlo e parlo e parlo, raccontando di questo e di quello, ma progressivamente vedo che i loro occhi si fanno vuoti e l
I am a good writer and great communicator. I love to write and have written dozens of children stories. Each of my stories are very vivid and will paint a beautiful picture in the mind. I am now the creator of four handicap stories for children that are less fortunate than others. It allows Toffney to play with the other children and at the same time give the other two girls an idea of what it’s like to be blind. I would like to share this story with you in brief: TOFFNEY THE BLIND GIRL JUMPS ROPE. Toffney loves to sit on the porch swing on the front porch of house. It was a beautiful morning as the sun set high in the sky. Toffney sat quietly listening to the children playing in the school yard. She could hear Tres and Micole counting slow and then fast. I wonder what they are doing. Toffney said to herself. She listened to the tapping sound against the sidewalk. Ready! set!, and go! Tres called to Micole. Again, Toffney could hear the tapping against the sidewalk. The next day as Toffney sat on the porch swing she heard someone call, Toffney, can you come out and play? Tres! Micole stopped and quickly ran over to Tres and whispered in her ear. Oh! No, I did not know. It is okay, Toffney said as she motioned for Tres to come over. Tres sat down next to Toffney on the porch swing. What is this? Is this a book without pictures or words? Tres asked. Give me your hands. Toffney said to Tres. Toffney moved Tres hands across the page back and forth. It is called Braille which is a form of reading for the blind. Oh! Tres said Tres I sit and listen to you and the other children play. I can hear the sound of a bouncing ball, roller skates, hopscotch, a wobbling bike, and a basketball. I hear you and Micole count slow and fast. I hear the two of you singing. And I can hear a tapping sound against the sidewalk but I cannot figure out what that sound is. You mean you hear the sound of our jump ropes. What is a jump rope? Toffney asked. Give me your hands. Tres held her hand out so that Toffney could grasp it. Tres placed the plastic handle of the jump rope in Toffneys hand. Tres pulled the jump rope slowly through Toffneys hand so that she could get a feel of it. Toffney could only see the jump rope with her hands. I have an idea. Tres said. Why dont the three of us have some jump rope fun. All you have to do is concentrate Toffney. Remember to listen for the taps against the sidewalk. Count with Micole and I. I will tell you when. All of the children gathered in the school yard. They were all excited about Tres, Micole, and Toffney jumping together. Put these on… Toffney said to Tres and Micole as she handed them a blind fold. This time the girls would jump blind folded. Wow! I have never been blind before, Tres said to Toffney. Who turned the lights out? Micole laughed jokingly. The children laughed as they watched the girls goof off. Toffney listened carefully as she counted along with Tres and Micole. 1, 2, 3, tap went the jump rope against the sidewalk. Get ready! set!, and go! The children watched as the three blind girls jumped rope without missing a step. I knew you could do it Toffney, Tres said. I did too! Micole said as the three girls jumped in and out of the jump rope.