Social Mercor

I asked Letitia to tell me about her work, which she does in the first part of the video. I then asked her to tell me a story about the difference Canine Colors has made to a client. She responded by telling me the story in the second part of the video.

Notice the difference in the two presentations.

Via Karen Dietz

Are you spellbinding?
Let’s be honest.
It’s a huuuuge challenge.
Probably the biggest challenge each blogger faces.

Via Karen Dietz

Taking part in the adventure of persuading others, sweeping them up into an idea, an unexpected action or an unproven vision, is a wonderful experience. The ability to create excitement all around you is what leadership is about.

 

Good grief -- I like some of what this article says but there is one glaring error: the confusion between persuasion and influence, particularly for leaders.

 

So what the heck is the difference between the two, why is it important, and what has it got to do with storytelling?

 

Well -- persuasion is getting someone to do something. Parents use persuasion all the time: "Finish your dinner or you won't get dessert." Or "Sit Fido and you'll get a treat!" Bosses use persuasion too: "Finish this report by X date or forget that promotion." We all use persuasion.

 

Influence however, is the power or capacity to cause an effect in indirect or intangible ways. Influence is more often 'showing' what needs to be done which then moves someone to take action -- hopefully in a desireable way.

 

There are many facets to influence including reciprocity, commitment, social proof and others (see Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by R. Cialdini, 2006).

 

Leadership at the highest levels is about influence, not persuasion. Management is about persuasion. Confusing persuasion and influence creates leadership that can feel more like manipulation than willing participation.

 

Storytelling -- IMHO -- lies squarly in the camp of influence. And leaders definitely need to master storytelling as an way to both engage and influence.

 

The list this author has created for leaders to focus on to be persuasive is mostly all about influential qualities to imbue in a leader's storytelling. Except the first one -- threats and consequences. Outlining global consequences if an organization does not change can be part of an influential conversation. Threats, not so much. That's pure persuasion.

 

Go read the rest of the list and let me know what you think!

 

This review was written by Karen Dietz for her curated content on business storytelling at www.scoop.it/t/just-story-it ;

Via Karen Dietz

Why do marketers revel in military jargon? Must we really rally troops to deploy conquest ads or fire quick hits of bleeding-edge apps?

Via Karen Dietz

Dumb ways to die: A brilliant way to deliver a messageLeadingCompanyGabrielle Dolan is a global thought leader in business storytelling and an expert in making good presenters inspiring.

Via Karen Dietz

Here are the best articles from across the web that I can find on using stories and storytelling in business.

I've chosen them because they actually make a contribution to our knowledge and wisdom about stories, show us how to apply stories to growing our businesses, or give valuable how-to tips.

 

I weed out all the junk. And besides, who needs another post in why storytelling is important?? Where's the beef?? We want the meat!

 

I've written reviews of each article to share what I like best, what you can get from reading the article, or what may be missing in the article.

 

How To Find A Topic: Click on the Filter tab above, and type in a keyword. All the articles with that keyword will appear.

 

I may occassionally review an article that I think is problematic as a way to educate us all, although most I will simply pass over.  If you wonder if I've seen an article that is not included here, send me a message and I'll respond.

After doing biz story work for over a decade (and with a PhD in Folklore) I hope you find many great insights and tips here. Many thanks for visiting and enjoy the articles!

 

And I hope you will also visit my website for more tips and tools, & take the free Story IQ assessment so you can see how well developed your storytelling skills and knowledge is: http://www.juststoryit.com/storyiq  ;

Via Karen Dietz