What do a teenage babysitter, a Native American Shaman, a grandmother from a small town in rural France, and a trail boss on a cattle drive all have in common?
Storytelling!
These are the people, from all walks of life, who help weave the tapestry of life in their respective cultures. Stories are what bind us together and help us to form our beliefs, values and attitudes about life, about who we are, about how we behave, about how we conduct our professional and personal lives.
Without stories, we have no past, no history, no touchstones for moving forward. Without stories, we have difficulty learning and internalizing new concepts. Without stories, we have no culture.
My mother was a radio storyteller before I was born. Even into her later years (she lived to be 101), she continued to tell stories at church and in various other community venues; young and old continued to be entranced by the power of stories. My father was a preacher. He knew the importance of parables in his sermons. After all, he had a great role model in the One who taught by parable for three years; those truths are still read and valued in our world today.
Stories have always been part of my life and who I am becoming. My earliest memories revolve around stories. As a mom I passed the practice along, reading each night to my son until he was well past the age of reading for himself. As an educator, I always used stories to illustrate and validate the concepts I was teaching. As a professional in the financial services industry, I shared stories and experiences with boards of directors, colleagues, management, and employees to illustrate how or why something should be considered, done differently, or just to bring a smile to the faces of those with whom I worked. As a speaker, executive coach, and author I continue to use stories to connect with others on a universal level.
What stories are you telling? What powerful points can you illustrate for your colleagues, clients, family or friends through the use of story? Do you elevate your messages for greater influence by relating some of your own personal journey?
We live new stories every day; we observe them in a multitude of places. Some are obvious lessons. Some are wrapped in packages where we least expect to find them and therefore, often miss them. What stories are you missing? Which ones are you sharing? Are you contributing to the fabric of the cultures in which you participate?
From “Once upon a time . . .” to powerful teaching points and value-added illustrations, we all have stories to share. Take the time to share your experiences, your stories, for in sharing them, you share part of who you are, and add to the truths of others to enhance your life, your organization, your journey, your relationships.
