Communications Insight For More Inspiring Leaders What's The Greatest Story You've Never Told?

What's The Greatest Story You've Never Told?

 6th Feb 2024
 
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What's the greatest story you've never told?

You don't need to have seen Brené Brown's TEDx talk on 'The Power of Vulnerability' (though I recommend it highly)...

To appreciate the power that emotional risk can have.

Because speaking is, by definition, an emotive medium.

But that aside, in my coaching work over the past 16 years I've been struck by how often...

The most compelling stories

The most valuable insights

The most clear-sighted and impactful messages

...are taken for granted by the leader/speaker concerned.

Not in a self-righteous or conceited way.

But because it simply hadn't occurred to them to voice and share what they've long since internalised.

How do I know this?

Because as a listener, time and again in conversations with leaders, I find myself saying:

"Woah, woah, woah! Back up... That phrase you used: "XYZ"... Have you ever used that line/story before?"

"Uhm... no, I don't think so. Didn't really occur to me. I mean it's obvious isn't it? And what was it I said again??!"

Some of our greatest insights are not crafted, sweating over a page of A4.

They spill out unprompted, raw and glowing in our conversations - with friends, with colleagues and with family members.

They emerge blinking into the light precisely when we're NOT over-thinking.

When we're not trying too hard.

Look out for those moments. Log those ideas.

Capture those stories and precious turns of phrase.

Because there's gold therein for your listeners and stakeholders.

Speak soon.
hashtagpublicspeaking hashtagcommunication hashtagleadership hashtaginspiration
 
 

 In 2019 I had the pleasure of working with Simon while pitching at the final of The Venture, the most important competition for social entrepreneurs. Simon not only helped me to deliver a perfect pitch to an audience of 2,500 people, he also helped me to improve my body language and storytelling abilities.

I am very certain that I won that contest thanks to Simon's help."

 

Javier Larragoiti Kuri I Founder of Xilinat, Researcher, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Mexico, Global Winner of The Chivas Venture 2019

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