True gratitude is what I felt when the small business owner Mastermind groups I lead wrapped-up our “storytelling” themed month with a Story Slam where each member shared a story for celebration and feedback.
And – it was really some powerful stuff. As I closed-out the call, I was so grateful for the beauty and impact of the stories shared. We laughed, we cried – really. I am so appreciative of the commitment the group had to each other and themselves to craft and tell their stories. And, I was struck once again, by how much I can learn from all the members of this Collaborative Community.
The content and guest speaker for our storytelling month focused on why storytelling is valuable, the structure of a good story and the importance of preparation. During our Story Slam – I really was schooled in three areas:
- Be authentic: telling your story need not be a performance. Use stories to let people see who you are, why you do what you do and how you do it. Telling a well structured story may enhance the impact but that is far less important than letting your true, authentic self shine through.
- Be brave: people, especially the people who you want to be your people, are also going to be your supporters and champions. Your stories of fear and disappointment can be powerful. Share an aspect of yourself that few people know about.
- Be ready: I am not talking about standing in front of a mirror and practicing your hero story although before this storytelling month that’s what I thought it meant. What I mean is be ready with a variety of stories and consider that almost anything may be a story. From a business perspective, consider how you want to connect with customers, prospects, colleagues and be prepared with a variety of stories that will enable you to do so in a powerful way.
P.S. The photo above is of a Little Free Library my younger daughter and husband collaborated on together. My husband was the lead architect and builder, Sydney was his apprentice. Sydney took the lead on collecting books. She gathered far more books than that little schoolhouse had room for and they have continued to fill the library for years after. The Little Free Library is an international movement – if you want to learn more – visit their website. You can also find the exact location of this box through their interactive map – search the zip code 10591.
