Your Story Stinks, Therefore So Does Your Strategy
New Book giveaway!!
20 complimentary copies available.
Leave a comment on this guest post by Jim Haudan and Rich Berens to become eligible to win one of TWENTY complimentary copies of, “What Are Your Blind Spots?: Conquering the 5 Misconceptions that Hold Leaders Back.”
(Deadline: 10/6/2018)
*International winners will receive electronic versions.
One of the most important jobs for leaders is to inspire people to embrace change. Because if they don’t want to change, you can’t scale any idea, process, or new strategy. The key?
Paint a picture of a compelling journey and outcome that leads to action.
This is where the traditional PowerPoint deck gets leaders into serious trouble. The way we construct our stories and share our strategies is driven by numbers and bullet points. They’re void of emotion, narrative, and meaning. This approach is quite good at making compelling content extraordinarily dull.
Most businesses have incredibly interesting stories, full of drama and interesting plot lines. Yet in most companies, the stories we tell are mundane and uninteresting. They leave people disconnected and uninterested in truly taking part in the business adventure.
Telling Your Strategy Story
To tell a compelling strategy story that captures emotion and drama, you must outline the story you want to tell. Start with the following outline:
Moving from Words to Shared Meaning Wrapped in Strong Storytelling
Once you have a compelling strategy story, consider:
- your skill at telling it, and
- ensuring it means the same thing for everyone.
So, what do you do? Start with creating a 3-5-minute story, using your outline, that you tell with passion and conviction. Then, make sure you have shared meaning.
Think about all the times you’ve seen people try to get their ideas across by drawing images, arrows, or word pictures. You can use that same approach to visualize your story.
Practice and hone that story with different audiences until it becomes something that truly inspires.
When you’ve created a great vision with a compelling strategy story that inspires your people, you have addressed a critical blind spot.
From your point of view, what makes a strategy story compelling?
Bio
Jim Haudan is Co-Founder and Chairman, and Rich Berens is CEO and Chief Client Fanatic, of Root Inc. For 25 years, Root has worked with brands around the world to activate, motivate, and inspire their people to accelerate the speed of organizational change through a combination of disruptive methods, storytelling, and interactive experiences.
Haudan and Berens’ What Are Your Blind Spots?: Conquering the 5 Misconceptions that Hold Leaders Back is written to help professionals scrutinize their approach to leadership and figure out personal blind spots―the areas where style and methods are hampering success.
Man I need this. It fits perfectly with where I am heading as a leader.
We are all blind to certain aspects – particularly the aspects we THINK we are good at but we AREN’T!
Investing the time to construct your story is important – this is a great template to help create the story!
This is very creativr and I can’t wait to read the book. In my line of business, the stories and people are what keeps us in business. Always need to talk about people and how we shape their
lives!
Good stuff. I know I need to incorporate more story-telling into my leadership toolkit, and I actually started compiling a list of ones I can use not too long ago. Now, to get busy actually TELLING some of them!
A compelling strategy becomes meaningful when everyone can find a utility in it (that their individual worldview can align within it) – that it is useful as a guidance to achieve their individual agenda, while also contributing to the overarching agenda.
That means that it is capable of encompassing a multitude of meanings, rather than a singular one, while retaining a collective coherence.
Perhaps it is better to say that a compelling strategy story provides a singular purpose, rather than a singular meaning?
Each of my teams has their own story. I will be leveraging this insightful perspective to lead my managers towards a fresh approach to engaging their teams by first looking at how they see their story. Very timely, in two weeks I meet with them and this will be at the top of the agenda. Thank you!
Great content, always inpiring topics … keep it up !
You don’t know what you don’t know. Identifying my own blind spots will improve my leadership abilities. I am pondering the first sentence in this article regarding leaders inspiring others to embrace change – it’s not that the leader embraces change (that’s a given), rather the leader inspires others.
It all starts with understanding your personal lens – do you see the world as you are or do you see it as it really is
I particularly liked the napkin sketch idea for team building, something that is always happening in schools, the domain of my coaching practice. It’s concise, builds relationships and invites thinking outside the box.
Thanks for the template!
Very compelling !
I like this concept. The tough part is bringing out that deep down feeling you get when you know the strategy will work. It is sometimes hard to convey in words. I have found using phrases with the word “love” help to express that feeling. A lot of people are afraid of the word.
I’m starting my leadership journey at work…I like these practicable, actionable ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Great post. Though provoking. Thank you!
Great story telling is an essential part of leading. Thanks for sharing.
I think it is important to be aware of our blind spots, and work to close them. Its like they are a gap between our values and our actions, but even worse, they are ones that we cannot see.
In terms of painting a picture of compelling change, I think that starts with believing in the change ourselves, first, as leaders. It is hard to promote and inspire people about something we do not first believe in ourselves.
This connects for me to Simon Sinek’s “Why?” and Golden Circle idea. As a leader, people will buy into your compelling story, not your data points. This frames that concept in a really usable way!
Change is good for us, albeit sometimes painful. Some people can really push my buttons, and all my training starts to crumble!!!
As a member of the military, I am all too familiar with the concept of DEATH BY POWERPOINT! As a analytical engineering type, I am all too guilty of spouting facts and figures without capturing the emotion and excitement of our organization’s story.
What a great, practical post that gives specific steps to great story telling and strategic planning! Thanks for sharing!
It’s all about self-awareness and effectiveness! Looking forward to the read.
Blind spots and story telling are important tools to lead from. I constantly tell our story of the past -and- the story of the perceived future, based on current trajectory as well as on a change trajectory. Using where we are now, why are we here, what isn’t here because we are here, and what is here that shouldn’t be here are frequent discussions that are uncomfortable, but help identify corrective next steps and strategies for the future.
This is a very helpful post Dan. the outline for shaping the story is practical. The napkin exercise with the team is very workable and connects with a few different learning styles. Thanks.
How do you tell the story if people don’t listen? How do you get the time to employ the story strategy? Leaders are busy and don’t always want to hear what others want to say. How do you “hook” them so you can reel them in with your story?
Perfect timing for me around this concept! I’ve been asked to lead the company into an integrated workflow system which is about as 180 as we are today. Several people have suggested I tell the story with a visual, and I struggle with that. I’m more of a story teller. Now I have an idea to combine the two. Thanks Dan and all the others who have replied!
Inviting folks into a “better story” is often the spark that moves change initiatives forward.
When we work with hands and head and heart; and when our activity is the same as our life’s purpose; When we are willing to do the work for no money, if necessary; these are the signs of deeply held belief.
People who are deeply motivated share their story with an internationally recognized body language. Their tone of Voice conveys more than intellectual understanding, it conveys an assurance that creates resonance in the listener.
The only thing that such storytellers need, are the tools of storytelling. This is why I HAVE to have this book!
they share it with a tone of voice that
It is so much easier to connect to a story than a stale 10 word long “vision statement”. Can’t wait to read the book!
This is where it’s at. Have been working on an “Appreciative Inquiry” process for our organization, whereby we ask our team to share their ‘best’ stories of what is, to help us discover our current strengths… that which we want to build upon and create more of. Next, we dream and imagine what the future should look like…. And then, together we map out design strategies to get there…. The final step is obtaining commitment from the team to take on real action steps to create our destiny as we planned it… A work in progress, but exciting stuff!! Thanks for the post!
Thanks for this. It is timely-I just started a new role. What a great way to connect with people by hearing our story and what a great way to really understand the new culture and history.
Thanks. Great stuff.
I read your blog daily. I am responsible for leadership and technical training of our commercial field leaders at a mid-sized pharma company. I would love a copy of the book!
Thank you for this. I believe we all have blind spots and those blind spots are usually the things we think we do well. It is just a matter of recognizing those spots and overcoming!
What makes a strategy story compelling to me is when it includes the story of how we got where we are (appreciate and acknowledge the work the team has done so far), then shares the reason for the change. Great post!
To answer; “From your point of view, what makes a strategy story compelling?”, I’d say it puts context in an issue or a challenge. It lets others know there can possibly be a good outcome, you just have to want it. What I have found though is even with a compelling strategic story some just still do not get it, their passion is elsewhere or non existent, almost as if they are just going thru the motions. Than again as I’ve said before, it could be my boomer mentality, passion and work ethic rubbing up against Gen Ys and Zs.
As a literacy coach in an elementary school, connecting with colleagues is everything! I am constantly reflecting on the relationships I’ve forged and how to connect in a deeper way.
Content that engages the audience (co-workers, client, whoever)is much more memorable and impactful because the listener feels himself/herself to be part of the story. Many factual presentation are very forgetful. Aesop’s fables are engaging and remembered; just stating the moral is forgetful without the engaging story.
Yes! We get so hung up in the PPT deck and the data that we forget that people are motivated by stories!
We are working on how we tell our story to others now. Your story needs to convey how your work connects to others. It should offer a clear message so they understand how to engage with you.
Love that this is so straight-forward and readily digestible. That means it is also actionable!
I listened to a podcast with Mr. Haudan and Mr.Berens speaking on this book. The book will be a recommended and excellent read.
Dropping the powerpoint for conversational story alignment to company, department and individual goals and objectives ~ engaging to inspire on one or more levels. Nice !!
As you mentioned, not all strategy stories are compelling.
To me, the compelling ones draw me in. It’s like a good movie outline template.
We meet the character, we get attached to it, they have to overcome something, they almost make it, something else happens that threatens their success, and then they pull through in the end.
The struggles and success situations in the story must be somthing real and also not have blind luck save the day.
This post is talking about communication, yet the actually word “communication” or “communicate” isn’t present in the post at all… maybe this is on purpose?
I was recently introduced to Dr. Anthony Gregorc (gregorc.com) who, through his resesarch, has developed his theory of “Mind Styles.” He has designed a metacognition tool so that we can understand more about ourselves and how we interact with abstract and concrete things in the world. Once we know more about ourselves and how we think, communicate, and process information, we can then use that knowledge to find common ground and present information to those who think and process differently. My wife and I took the “Mind Styles Delineator” and my mind. was. blown! I’m a believer and I encourage everyone to take this for themselves.
How can we ever expect to tell a compelling story without knowing how we ourselves interact with the information inherent in the story? What if the Mind Style of the leader is such that there is no relational or interpersonal bone in their body? How will the presentation go?? The napkin exercise helps that out by engaging the Mind Styles of the rest of the team, and the process of the exercise helps ensure the various Mind Style angles are covered. But how much more effective could this presentation be if the presenter knew and understood the meta aspects of the audience.
Communication (and story telling!) starts with understanding ourselves so that we can turn around and present information in a different way so that it will be recieved by others. Check out Gregorc.com. I’m not being paid by him or the organization to say that. I’ve experienced it first hand, and now believe everyone should.
Keep up the good work, everyone!
Storytelling and leadership, I’m in!
Perfect tool to focus direction!
this approach looks great: I could do with a review of my strategy and to implement a cohesive plan…..again! I look forward to knowing more an a .pdf copy would be truly prized and used, kind regards pat (pat.carroll@patcarroll.ie)
I love the napkin sketch exercise! Can’t wait to read the book.
This is spot on, I have been reading a lot about our education system and some movements in som home schools and private schools to transition back to what is refered to as “Classical Education” or some Catholic Liberal Education. Thes fundamental teachings are are different then the current system set up to teach kids how to take test, vs to teach them how to listen, debate and discuss using grammar, logic and rhetoric in ways that make sense. This is spot on and while the data is extremely important, it is knowing what the data tells you and how to tell the story to Change it from the mind to the heart of people. Once you do that, people buy in and are on board. Good piece and I think this is just the tip of the ice burg of this topic.
“People don’t care what you say, until they know that you care” Teddy Roosevelt. One of the best ways to build relationships is to invite others to tell their stories. The second and just as important part of that is active listening. People want to know you hear what they say and care about it!
Right in the middle of a senior leadership development program. This content would be very helpful as I am on my journey. Thank you for the offer and look forward to the opportunity to obtain the book.
Excellent guidance and great reminders on getting people to embrace and participate in the change process. I love the outline and napkin sketch activity.
A leader is not a leader unless there are those willing to follow. It is the job of great leaders to inspire the desire to follow. Thanks for a good process map to follow!
I can’t wait to read the book!
Change in strategy is hard for everyone. We are all so resistant. Not a good thing.
Opening quote is so true! Love how you’ve given some concrete steps to help with leading change.
Boom! Wow. What an insightful, fun, and encouraging post. The book sounds amazing. I can’t wait to discuss this post with some others in our team.
Look forward to reading this book too.
Had a employee scream from the other room “why did we have to change”. I ran out there thinking we didn’t make any changes. Our home page was now a SharePoint site. That kind of employee will never accept change of any sort. You have to get buy in and excitement, maybe even ownership to make any major change in any work environment. Home page no so much.
Tracy some of us West Coasters (or more appropriately denizens of the Socialist State of Taxifornia) are here early each day (530AM) cause some of (ok most) the people we deal with are located 2-3 hours ahead.
This is great unfortunately by the time the west coast answers more then 20 has answered from the other coast!
I would love to be able to read this book. The posts are so helpful
This post aligns with a statement that I made a week or so ago. After taking over the CEO seat at a floundering nonprofit and crafting a recovery plan, I made a statement that “I now have a good story to tell.” I am intrigued by this concept and with the resources you posted in this blog. This will help me draft the story for our Board to also be able to tell. Thanks for sharing
We are working towards this within our organization currently and this book sounds like it would be a great help!
I look forward to trying this strategy my next opportunity to lead a professional development for faculty and staff to reinforce our school’s school improvement goals.
Everybody, whether they admit it or not, wants to find purpose and meaning. Stories are one of the best ways to connect and inspire those around us. It shows the deeper thinking of ourselves and our desires/goals. The story, once accepted, pulls everyone into the story and they are part of it. I believe “accepting” of the story is possible only if input from others is molded into the creation of the story. It becomes their story and it is something everyone in the group wants to make a reality.
Thank you for the words of wisdom today.
I needed this today! Having a conversation about changing up some things this afternoon. I need to get my story on! Thank you for this post.
Was struck by the phrase “construct our stories” and also by the alert to making sure the stories AS YOU TELL THEM “have the same MEANING for everyone.”
I don’t like using ‘construct’ for two reasons. Most importantly, the stories of value evolve or emerge from an important situation; we certainly can and should edit for clarity. Also, when we seek to construct them, I expect we’ll take the passion, joy, excitement out of our stories.
In the editing note above, we MUST make sure the stories are clear, appropriate, and meaningful for EVERYONE!!! I suggest, no STRONGLY BELIEVE, that IF ANY storycannot be edited to be “clear, appropriate, and meaningful for EVERYONE,” the story should NOT be shared with ANYONE!!!
I loved this! Over my own life journey, I have witnessed good storytelling is more than reciting facts. As the ‘teller’ is mindful of its audience the tale resonates, motivates, and invites. I find that a good story intends the reader to wait and yearn for the outcome despite the challenges and detours. Terrific post!
Thanks for the outline to help create my story, very helpful. I hope to win a copy of the book.
Thanks for the story strategy and outline to help with construction.
My company has a powerful story that captivates each ones of us every time we hear it, my team has a powerful story to tell our clients, and yet you are spot on that they way we convey our “Story” to our clients and at times to one another is incredibly under-whelming and blah. I know what it feels like to be moved by a story teller, by someone who captivates your attention on even some of the most least interesting topics by way of how they speak, the passion and emotion by which the story is told. This would be critical to learn more about and put into practice to be able to take to the market place and even more so as a way to get excited about and even more jazzed about being the storyteller to my customers.
This post is something that will help me in my work with school administrators. Looking forward to reading the whole book. Thank you.
While providing a ‘what’s in it for me’ used to work well in the past, it seems less effective in today’s world. Being able to clearly communicate, via a story, the journey ahead and the potential outcome and its benefits certainly seems like a way to fill the gap. Looking forward to reading this new book.
An organizational story needs the same things a good fiction book or movie need; a protagonist the audience identifies with, an antagonist who presents a compelling threat, stakes worth fighting for, and a convincing landscape with enough detail to make the story real.
For most organizations, the hardest part is creating the protagonist. If the audience (staff, stakeholders, board) doesn’t identify with the protagonist or particularly care about the protagonist’s journey, the story won’t work.
BIG YES to story telling. So much more powerful when you can cite experience and real life while you focus on ‘theory’.
Thanks Dan!
A strategy story is compelling when the people hearing the story can connect to it at the individual level and understand how it affects and connects to their work. Thank you!
When you include your ability to express humility and empathy in telling your story, you can create trust. Trust is key to developing relationships. If your story cannot create this, ask yourself why. What is the blind spot that holds you back. Be curious about yourself, as much as, you may be curious towards others.
(Nothing like a giveaway to increase traffic!) Truly, an innovative approach than can bring insight to all participants!
I like the napkin sketch idea – not sure how to integrate it on our team – but would love to try!
I really like these tools and will use them in a meeting in two weeks.
Looks very interesting.
Thank you for this. I work for a story driven company but it’s still easy to get caught up on the minutia of our metrics and celebrate the mechanics of what went well while ignoring the human and emotional impacts that may be driving our business. We’re also in the middle of a culture change (when aren’t we?) so I’m going to forward this exercise to our execs as I think it’s a great litmus test to see where we are.
What makes a strategy story compelling? Real life examples from the company’s journey and details about the successes and failures, told by the people who’ve been involved. Nothing more motivating than some honesty and emotion!
This is again perfect timing. I am moving on after 11 years to a new organization.
This helps me craft my story and my current team to craft their story to their new leader.
Your timing is impeccable
So many leaders need this. Some only gets the post because of connection with no vision or drive to help staff with change. It is a do or else mentality.
Tell the story by touching the hearts and stirring the emotions of those who are helping achieve the mission – connect with them through a heartfelt, compelling message.
I think maybe one interesting challenge for organizations is that those in the senior leadership positions still tend to be baby boomer age or older, and they might see the story through a different lens than those that are needing to be inspired by the story. The multi-generational aspects of work environments play a bit of a part here possibly.
This is again perfect timing.
Having just received a promotion I am looking to kickstart my team. Reading this book would give me great insight on inspiring change!
Stories drive culture and performance. Story telling is so important. It engages every part of the brain (versus PPT which is just reading). I recently heard Doug Keeley (themarkofaleader.com) talk to leaders across Indiana about the importance of stories and I’m trying to incorporate the idea into more of conversations and presentations.
I really appreciated this article on a number of levels. I am involved in strategic planning at our company, which makes the story so much more important to me to tell. Too often I fall back to the bullet point discussion that makes people shake their heads yes, but forget the convincing side. I am going to use this with my team. Thank you!
What a simple way to be able to address some of the most complex issues – effective communication.
Tools and techniques don’t tell the story, they support story telling. Look forward to sketching our story on a napkin!
Hi! Thank you for writing this piece. As someone who’s authored three books on business storytelling, it’s important to recognize that a story is not a description of what has been and what could be. Dream stories (a CEO’s personal area, for example) and vision stories (co-created my a group) are types of future stories — and strategy can be a subject covered by them. However, like any compelling story, there has to be a main character. An organization isn’t an effective main character, as shown by Paul Zak’s compassion/empathy research. SO I would be taking the info in your template and taking it a step further and asking, “Who would make a compelling main character that everyone in the organization could identify with? What’s the situation we could use that this main character will go through that could exemplify the elements we’ve documented here? What’s the story structure that could best be used to shape this?”
Hi! Thank you for writing this piece. As someone who’s authored three books on business storytelling, it’s important to recognize that a story is not a description of what has been and what could be. Dream stories (a CEO’s personal area, for example) and vision stories (co-created my a group) are types of future stories — and strategy can be a subject covered by them. However, like any compelling story, there has to be a main character. An organization isn’t an effective main character, as shown by Paul Zak’s compassion/empathy research. SO I would be taking the info in your template and taking it a step further and asking, “Who would make a compelling main character that everyone in the organization could identify with? What’s the situation we could use that this main character will go through that could exemplify the elements we’ve documented here? What’s the story structure that could best be used to shape this?”
The huge number of responses reminds me of long car rides with our daughter. To keep her engaged in what was outside while creating a space for learning we would create games that if she “won” would result in a double dip of ice cream in a cone. It would be something like yell out when you see anything that begins with a “C” (e.g. Cow, Cat, Coyote). Going through the alphabet allowed us to cover the miles with much less drama. Likewise, your book giveaway probably caused far more people to actually read beyond the headline in hopes that the extra effort would result in winning. Maybe that should also be added to the story telling recipe somehow. Thank you for causing us to examine and think.
Love the concept of the napkin sketch – to help people tell a story.
A great way to lead change. This is timely for me.
On target! The listener wants to be able to relate to the message. We all love stories. How many children have begged their parents to read them a bedtime PowerPoint presentation complete with bulletpoints?
Love the exercise! A great way to demonstrate how strategy is executed by telling a compelling story.
I have to assume, with a few minor tweaks, that this could be useful in my personal life as well. Gonna try it on my kids! Awesome!!
This was right on time! I have to help my team vision for a new building and the process that will happen in the new space and this will be perfect! Thank you.
Agree that storytelling done right is the way to influence and drive business success. Would love to learn more.
This looks like a great tool to improve leadership skills! I’d love to have a copy to read and then pass on to others in my community. Thank you!
I love how you provided a very simple format to follow in creating the story! Thank you!
Jim and Rich, thanks for a great and timely post. We’re in the process of refining our company vision and strategy — along with processes, tools, and procedures. Your outline of how to tell a compelling story is just what we need! Our sense is that having a job and getting a paycheck are what we would classify as satisfiers on a Kano Chart. Delighters would include purpose, meaning, fulfillment, and participating in a grand endeavor. Creating and telling the story in the right way will help us to move from mere satisfaction to delight. Looking forward to reading the book. Cheers.
Our organization has used the Leadership Practices Inventory to assess our leadership behaviors and one of our lowest scoring areas, collectively, is around “Inspiring a Shared Vision.” The nice thing is that visioning and storytelling are skills you can learn and practice, if you’re willing to try. Thanks for this post!
Seems to me that the key in creating an effective story is sharing it. The only way you can find your blind spots is for someone who is not blind to them to point them out to you, so you have to let the story develop over time (it can be as long or as short a time as you have available), from the time you first write it to the time you make it your narrative as an individual or company. You find more meaning when it becomes meaningful to others. It can only be meaningful to others when you share it.
This sounds like something we could really use right now as we are in the midst a major change.
This is definitely a skill that I need to improve on. Even in every day life, I struggle with making my stories interesting. I either give too much detail or too little. It seems that when I am most passionate about something that I best engage with my audience.
Hi Jim, my name is Geoff and I’d love to be the lucky winner of your new book. As a change agent within a young organisation (15 years) which is already deep in bad habits I’d love to learn your methods of influence.
Regards Geoff Waters.
Thank you for the wonderful article! Napkin Sketch is a must try!!!
Jim, fantastic ideas, thank you. Inspiring and thought provoking. I’m at the start of working on some major change with a large public sector body that boy is in trouble, and this will really help them and me. Thank you
I can’t wait to read this book! At the end of the day we look to inspire positive change in others and this method really makes sense. Thanks for sharing this with us and I can’t wait to start practicing this new technique.
I think it is important for the leader to get buy-in to the story from their team…because what may be compelling to the leader may not necessarily be to the team. So early buy-in to the vision/narrative you are crafting is crucial!
Great post! We are working on change at my day job. The resistance is real! This post gives me a new approach.
Great post given the speed of change. And always willing to learn and grow as a leader.
This is a great post. I’m just getting started with a brand new direct selling company in a brand new niche where right now, we are the only player. I have to be a leader. This is going to be the foundation for my story. Thank you!
I agree that it’s a good approach to wrap values into a story: who doesn’t love a good yarn? but the story is lost if the audience can’t engage with it: too often the story is obviously about “telling” the audience how they need to change or what they need to do. Stories (and their values) are useless, unless at least 3 things happen:
1) the stories speak to the audience, and elicit their problems and aspirations, absent the obvious interests of the company/project/person telling the story; and
2) the telling of the story generates a dialog; and
3) the story can evolve through the dialog
shared understanding only comes about through a genuine dialog and the recognition that the dialog can evolve the story.
Sure, the initiator of the story/values has a certain objective in mind, but they are only going to achieve it through collaborative re-evaluation through dialog so the story becomes jointly owned and meaningful. The “trick” here (if there is one) is not the creation of a good story – it’s managing the process of engaging in the dialog and evolving the story so it becomes owned and actionable by the folks you’re talking to.
in terms of assessing the quality of the story, the checklists in this post are a good start, but the final product needs to be carefully checked to make sure it’s able to engage with its intended audience.
I think a technique called the “Amazon Book Review” that is described by Kathy Sierra is a good one, perhaps with a little tweaking. I’ve found it useful in several situations other than its original intent.
Love the reminder to keep it short but well-thought thru. If you need a mini-novel to explain your strategy, then folks will drift. Will definitely use the outline and napkin exercise – paired with making sure to incorporate story aspects that folks (from other leaders and all impacted parties) can relate to and that matter.
An interesting exercise — looks easy to implement and a great tool to sharpen messaging. Looking forward to trying it!
This looks wonderful for getting to the core of your strategy and your “why” as well as “how.” The napkin sketch will definitely go into my bag of tricks, and I expect it to get lots of use. Thanks for the great exercises.