Just Story It

I had my first story coaching session with Aaron Stark on Monday, helping him get ready for the TEDxDonovan (prison) event coming up in April.

Watch his previous TEDx talk on him almost being a school shooter. The story we are working on now is about the power of him revealing his truth. Wow.

So honored to help him hone his story and reach even more people.

Story coaching is about selecting the story, finding the key message, story crafting and then story delivery. Our first session was also taped for a documentary that's being made about Aaron. Who knows where this will go.

Your stories are just as powerful as Aaron's. Tell them. They make a difference.

As the author (owner of a global retail sales company) says, "Diagnosing slow sales is best done by digging into the dirty details of individual interactions."

She goes on to explain that it's the micro-interactions between salespeople and customers that make or break a sale. But what are those micro-interactions? She lists 3. Storytelling is not directly mentioned, but here's how it translates:

1. The right reception -- are salespeople deliberately evoking stories from customers to discover their needs?
2. Customer needs being met -- have they felt heard (again, story evoking skills + story listening skills) and have their needs been met?
3. Knowing how to listen for opportunities -- listening skills again

Read more for concrete examples and use her advice to boost your sales in 2019.

Here's how stories work in very practical ways to change people's minds. This post is about environmental storytelling to tackle climate change. It works here...and it can work in your world. There are great insights here to grab about the power of positive stories.

LinkedIn just published another study on the critical need for soft skills for career success. Their conclusion boils down to having skills that increase your ability to change people's minds.

LOL, the writer vows to never use the term "soft skills" again. As she says:

And it translates into cash: "Even in the 'hard skills' jobs, persuasion sets people apart. "A coder who only knows technical skills might start at $40,000 to $80,000 in Silicon Valley. A coder who can speak to the client can easily command $120,000 and up."

Read the post for more stats and insights -- and keep working on those storytelling skills. They will never go out of style. 

LinkedIn just released its latest research study on in-demand job skills and guess what? #1 is Oral Communication.

In addition to basic communication skills using Emotional Intelligence, that also means presentations and storytelling.

There's no time to waste. Time to build those skills. Check out my 9-week business communication and storytelling course at Univ. of CA San Diego starting Jan. 22, 2019. It's an online course using virtual reality. That means lots of interacting, which is what building your communication skills requires. Come join me. Here's the link, and here's a 50% discount coupon: BizComm19

Go Chevron! Hey, if a gas company can successfully use storytelling, so can you. This is a great article on the kinds of storytelling they are doing and why. Even better are the tips they share and the results they've experienced. Enjoy.

For years I've wanted to launch an online business storytelling course that actually builds your skills -- not just a bunch of book learning.

But what took me so long? Because I didn't want it to be just another online storytelling course. I wanted it to count.

So I am thrilled to announce that I have partnered with the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Extension to deliver a 9-week business communication and storytelling course for busy professionals in January 2019. That means you can take the course and actually come away with a valuable, documented class that your company can count on. The course counts towards a Project Management Certificate.

Oh, and this is not an ordinary course. Nope. My course uses a virtual reality campus, powered by VirBela, where your avatar will communicate, engage and practice with each other in real time. Anytime.  You can hyperlink to Virbela’s website if you wish.

Why? Because your storytelling and communication skills can't be gained in a vacuum. Becoming an amazing business storyteller and communicator that skyrockets your influence requires interacting with others. And we've got the perfect platform for that.

Berkeley and Stanford are already using this platform. And now UCSD and I are offering this first-ever business communication and storytelling course using this cutting-edge tool.

Here's what you'll gain:

• Knowing your communication and story style and what makes you unique (woo hoo!)
• Creating your own Strategic Communication & Storytelling Plan + goals (don't leave home without it)
• Practicing the most powerful skill for influence that also reduces conflict (story listening behaviors and best practices)
• Finding different stories and media to inspire and connect to your audience (take the mystery out of it)
• Crafting diverse forms of influential presentations that drive decision making(who knew?)
• Building and telling your Vision Story and evaluating your storytelling skills anytime, anywhere (yes, you can).
• Learning communication and storytelling for high performing teams and other critical story applications across your business (where the rubber meets the road)
• Weaving data and story together for maximum attention (never be boring again)
• Delivering an influential presentation that inspires others (make a difference)

As you can see, this is going to be a powerhouse course.
You'll come away with a solid storytelling and communication foundation most people never get.

Anyone in the world can take it.

Click on the title to register for the class, or here's the direct link
Use this code for a 50% discount! BizComm19

I'm looking forward to seeing you there -- Karen

What a great post! Doug Lipman is one of my storytelling teachers and coaches. Obviously, I applaud everything that is said in this post about story coaching and do my best to fulfill these principles.

Looking for a storytelling coach? Here's your primer on what to look for.

Years ago my colleague Annette Simmons gave me significant help during a tough time when I was the target of Territorial Games. Territorial Games is one of her books. Now Annette has dusted off the volume. She is writing blogs over the next 10 weeks about each of the 10 Territorial Games plus the implications for us in today's political culture.

Check out Game 1 -- what it's all about, how it works, and what not to do.

Let's get smarter and empowered.

Next week I'll curate Game #2.

So happy you are writing this Annette! See me forever grateful. 

Once in a while, I run across a good article on how product/service user experience designers (UX) can use storytelling in their work. This is one of them. that gets it right.

Too my UX designers think of stories like this: 

• A user story is short, specific and goal-oriented. It is a one-sentence statement that tends to have the following structure: “As an X, I want Y so that Z ”.

That's not a story. But this post shares actual stories UX designers can use. The author explains how this is much more valuable and efficient than the definition given above. It's a great justification for using storytelling in a variety of business settings.

But, I know -- you probably aren't a UX designer, so what has this got to do with you? Well -- think of any customer you want to know more about. Our default way to find out information is to ask for information (How did you...) or opinions (What do you think of...).

Neither of these approaches will quickly get you what you want. Go for stories instead (Tell me about what happened when...)

That's where the gold is.

I love that more companies are getting away from Death by PowerPoint (PPT). As a business storyteller, I continue to urge my clients to drop it as well and replace it with narratives. I personally only use PowerPoints on stage when the client insists.

So without PPTs, what did this company do instead? They used a skill that is the backbone of storytelling -- storyboarding. What?!

Yep. You see, all stories are made up of images. The storyteller's job is to tell the story going from one image to the next. If the storyteller can see/experience the image, it's conveyed to the audience and the listeners can see/experience it too.

One of the best ways to craft a story is to storyboard the images. And just like this article says, it makes your ideas and the story crystal clear (no artistic talent required). Oh, and you'll be way more impactful and influential!

So this company has hit upon a powerful method. Storyboard your presentations, share the story, stimulate discussion, and leave the PPTs to someone else.

Jim Signorelli is a colleague I admire. This guest blog he wrote is an evergreen gem for marketers, sales folks, executives, and business owners. Plus it's hilarious. Imagine approaching everyone you meet with the opening, "I'm terrific!"

Yeah, not so much. Yet it is what many many companies do. Jim shares how we all get into trouble with this approach, and how to avoid these pitfalls with authentic storytelling.

It's an essential pivot we all must make. Get your game on.

One of my great pleasures is volunteering as a story coach with Just In Time for Former Foster youth to help them tell their stories. I am so thrilled to see how their visibility keeps growing. Here is Chelsea Clinton visiting Just In Time last week. 

Storytelling is transformational. These former foster youth's stories are transformational. Your stories can be also. Go for it.

I agree: "The design thinking process begins with a complete immersion in the user experience and a development of empathy for the customer. Through that deep understanding of human behavior, organizations can develop innovative products and services that actually solve a real problem for customers."

But what does complete immersion mean besides hanging out with customers? It also involves being able to deliberately evoke stories -- which is empathy in action. Plus those stories drive deeper meaning and insights for you.

So don't leave home without your storytelling skills.

What accounts for the ability of great leaders to inspire? It's the ability to tell compelling stories. And in my experience, it's still the most underrated skill out there. So I agree with the author.

Maybe it's because storytelling seems easy. But it's harder than it seems. More often it's because we think we are inspiring (70% of leaders rate themselves as inspiring; 82% of employees say NOT).

But here's the bottom line: storytelling matters if you want to get ahead. I also love the author's point about the role of stories in forging high performing teams.

Read the article for more insights.

Sending you wishes for a fabulous 2019!

What a great post!

We typically think of only metaphors to communicate complex ideas. But there are more ways! The infographic in the article shows all 6 with details included.

I also like how to entire article emphasizes being audience-centric when presenting. That means getting into your listener's heads so you can explain your ideas in ways they will get. Too often we frame our presentations from our own viewpoints. Then we wonder why we don't connect or get the results we want.

Anyway, this post and infographic should help you make the shift.

In my workshops, I often share the Bata shoe story that's in this article, and I make the same point the author this post makes.

When we are having information or beliefs that keep us stuck or in a downward spiral, it's time for a reframe. This can happen to us personally or in business/organizational life. Reframing is telling a different story.

There are plenty of examples and instructions in this post on how to reframe bad news or a negative experience (it's easy). Not everything can be reframed. But as the author points out, when it can, it will go far.

Here's what I like about this post -- it's not ALL about what you say in a presentation, it's about what happens before and after.

Presuasion is all about doing your homework beforehand. This entails figuring out what you audience values, what meetings you should attend before your presentation, and preparing solutions beforehand.

The author lists many more important actions to take in this presuasion phase.

Postsuasion are the activities you do once the presentation is done: follow up meetings, emails, etc.

This article lays it all out. Don't leave home without it.

Many companies discover storytelling when they have an immediate need to be addressed -- like growing the business. 

But what I've noticed is that there is very little understanding about how to think more strategically about business storytelling and the impacts it has across the organization.

Hence this infographic I created. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

I saw this article and couldn't resist knowing the stories.

Thought you might like them too.

Have a fun night :)

Time for some Friday Inspiration.

Once again, here's a story about how storytelling can break down barriers, heal, and spark transformations. This time it's in healthcare. But I bet it applies to you, too.

A colleague recently pointed me to this site and I went "Hallelujiah!" I don't know about you, but having conversations across the political divide makes me nervous. Doing so feels rife with conflict. So imagine my delight to find a site that actually teaches people how to have fruitful conversations that break down barriers and connect us instead.

For every remark that polarizes us, take a step to have a great conversation with someone from the other side. It's one of the most powerful actions you can do. Storytelling has a role here, too.

I've signed up. Let's change the story wars.

PS -- these are life-long skills that can be applied anywhere.

Your Thursday Inspiration for avoiding brain hijacks in today's story wars.

As promised, I'm devoting Thursday's curation to providing helpful essays and tools so politicians, groups, and others don't hijack our brains for their benefit ($$$), not ours. I missed posting last week so I'm curating 2 posts today.

This post -- with a free trend report to download -- talks about how we are being manipulated today into ongoing outrage.

Neuroscience shows us how toxic this is for us. Under a constant barrage of outrage triggers, our prefrontal cortex -- that helps us avoid knee-jerk responses. It helps us better plan, make decisions, solve problems, have more self-control, and engage in long-term planning -- SHRINKS!

What to do? 

1. Awareness is critical. Know that you are being deliberately triggered for someone else's benefit.
2. Step away from the candy. Disengage and calm down.
3. Gather facts and science to stay informed -- grow your prefrontal cortex.
4. Follow the money and who benefits. That's at the heart of the matter.
5. We all get angry -- just dial it back and take action that's not a knee-jerk reaction.
6. Engage in fruitful dialogue with those you disagree with. See my post on Better Angels for how to do this.

Avoid being manipulated by others. It's your brain. Own it.

Here's the direct link to the post.