The Untapped Secret of Leadership Success
Jack K. is one of the most popular and well-known guys in my community. One reason, he tells stories. He has a bucket of stories that I’ve heard several times and want to hear again. This morning, I’ll see Jack and ask him to tell what I call the, “Two Invoice Story,” again.
Stories:
- Inspire.
- Instruct.
- Enlighten.
- Encourage.
- Entertain.
- Connect.
Paul Smith, director of Consumer & Communications Research at Procter & Gamble, believes storytelling is central to his success. We talked yesterday. One thing I took from our conversation:
You may have the world’s greatest vision, product,
or innovation but you’ll probably languish
if you can’t tell a story.
Instruct:
“Most successful organizations on the planet intentionally use stories as a key leadership tool: Microsoft…Disney…Costco…South West…Procter & Gamble,” Lead with a Story.
“Experience is the best teacher.
A compelling story is a close second.” Paul Smith
Connect:
It was years before Paul Smith told his wife he’d been fired twice. He told me in a matter of minutes. Why? He’s learned the power of stories. I immediately connected with his authenticity.
Inspire:
My wife has begun telling me her story in new ways, after 36 years of marriage. It’s so powerful I weep when I hear it.
Practice:
If you’re afraid to tell stories, begin by listening to them. The next time you’re at lunch with colleagues, ask them to tell you a story from their youth. Tell yours. Make storytelling part of your world.
Develop:
Paul Smith’s book, “Lead with a Story,” shows readers how to tell stories that build bridges into their future. If you want to go far, combine your competence with storytelling.
How have stories affected you?
How have you used stories to impact others?
I am huge believer in storytelling. One of the most powerful leadership development tools is teaching leaders to tell their stories well… using them to send strategic messages. One of my favorite personal leadership story to tell, is my story of overcoming obstacles through strategic storytelling.
http://letsgrowleaders.com/2012/09/20/strategic-storytelling/
Thanks for sharing your story. 🙂
oh,its so good and thanks for that encouragement.
Thank you.
HI Dan,
Great post on Storytelling!! I believe another thing storytelling does is build credibility with the audience, particularly if the story is about yourself and you are willing to go out on that proverbial limb and open yourself up to others. By doing so, it invites those in your audience or those you lead to feel more comfortable in approaching you and thus creating a trusting environment. Best wishes.
Don
Thanks for extending the conversation. When you open up others tend to move toward us. Pow!
Talk about leaders being “real” and “vulnerable”. Wow! I really like this when my mentors tell me their stories. I learn so much from them that way.
There is a huge socio-cultural component to storytelling. Coincidentally, Dan Pink refers to *The Storytelling Animal* by Jonathan Gottschall in his August 30th blog:
http://www.danpink.com/archives/2012/08/the-storytelling-animal-4-questions-for-jonathan-gottschall
30 years ago, my friend wrote his psych masters thesis on storytelling and how it relates to memory as well as how we proceed to conclusions. He used a movie to test his hypothesis. Very interesting.
My experience has been that stories that evoke emotion stick in our memories and related information is more easily assimilated.
Good morning Dan, thank you for the lead on the book, I just went to Amazon and checked it out. I think I will enjoy reading it. Have a wonderful Thursday.
I was at a conference, and the key note speaker (simply fantastic) got toward the end of his talk. He looked at the audience, smiled, and asked “do you think we have time for one more story?” The entire room lit up in smiles. You hit the nail on the head – story telling is central to our culture. My grandfather was a great story teller, and your post had me smiling, reliving some of his better tales. And most of them were true, or so he said!
Is the linchpin in this authenticity?
It does not have to be ‘your’ own personal story, but you have to own it at some core level. If you authentically value and believe in the message of the story or that it has personally impacted you, then it is, in a way, your story.
There’s a great one circling the net right now, Google: taxi driver old woman hospice, very moving. While it doesn’t pitch a “product”, (other than the human spirit) it brings hope and certainly taps into all 5 of Mr. Smith’s points.
Yes! Being genuine is key to a great story. Nothing worse than walking away believing the story was a load of stuff.
Recently my husband was out of town for business meetings. Over dinner they all shared how the got into their industry. The interesting thing was that they found new commonalities in the stories which helped strengthen their relationships. This will lead to more effective communication as the project progresses. As well, it helps get people over the bumps in the road faster.
Dear Dan,
I agree that story is key point from where leadership start. I appreciate the objective points suggested- especially I like the sentence- experience is the best teacher. I also question whether all stories connect. Here you are right when you say – compelling story. I think compelling story is something that can inspire, encourage and creating a feeling of pain or pleasure in others. Any story that does not teach and lead anywhere may not be connecting point. Stories have affected me. I do not remember which story but all the stories where people feel proud, appreciate and when they say- it is impossible or difficult, I get connected and think to surpass their boundary of thinking.
I use stories to connect my students. The motto is not to impress them, but to inspire them. I always believe in breaking the rules that prevails without any justification or genuine reason. I always ask my students and friends to question the stereotype of thinking, belief or customs that prevents our success and growth. Hence, I firmly believe that untapped secret of leadership potential is nothing but belief and questioning the existing belief and afterwards strengthening the belief. When you make a belief, jut follow it, I can bet success is yours.
Love this! I am currently meeting with a lot of people to raise money. It is great to see people zero-in with your eyes when you tell a story. I still need to develop in this area, but it is so true. Thanks!
Hi Dan, Thank you for highlighting this powerfull tool.
How even your worst moments and experiences can become your best and most powerfull stories, conveying and connecting a message. Giving genuinity, reality and humanity to your aim and make them “sticky”.
Thank’s Dan.
I really like this “If you’re afraid to tell stories, begin by listening to them” Avid believer in the power of stories! Reading great articles like this reinforces that. Thanks
People like stories because they connect their situation to someone who has already been through it.