A good story moves us

A story, if broken down into the simplest form, is a connection of cause and effect. And that is exactly how we think. We think in narratives all day long.

Exchange giving suggestions for telling stories.

A story is the only way to activate parts in the brain so that a listener turns the story into their own idea and experience.

• Suspense and “cliffhangers” allow you to create an addictive narrative;
• Creating detailed imagery;
• Using literary techniques for turning simple stories into memorable works of art.
• Change made easier by providing an example.
  

• Delivery: matters as much as the content.
• Imagery:  the brain “lights up” in reacting to imagery, truly transporting the reader to the events being described. 
• Realism: poeple need a “human” element in the story that is easy for them to imagine.
• Structure: people prefer stories that follow a logical manner.
• Context: significant impact on the persuasiveness of a story.
• Audience: determine who you don’t want reading your content along with who you do.

• Stories solidify abstract concepts and simplify complex messages;
• Stories bring people together: stories connect us through the way we feel and respond to them;
• Stories inspire and motivate, by tapping into people’s emotions and baring both the good and bad.

• Entertaining. Good stories keep the reader engaged and interested in what’s coming next.
• Educational. Good stories spark curiosity and add to the reader’s knowledge bank.
• Universal. Good stories are relatable to all readers and tap into emotions and experiences that most people undergo.
• Organized. Good stories follow a succinct organization that helps convey the core message and helps readers absorb it.
• Memorable. Whether through inspiration, scandal, or humor, good stories stick in the reader’s mind.

Human beings react to physical and environmental changes all the time. Likewise, a good story requires changes and challenges, and characters need to be provided with certain crossroads of change, else the story does not move.

Incomplete stories are filled automatically by the brain, as we have an urge to find meaning in everything. We also tend to believe the simplest explanations. Stories need to be shown a linear cause and effect for the reader to stay interested. If there are too many effects, the effect is lost.

The Story Spine structure: Once upon a time there was [blank]. Every day, [blank]. One day [blank]. Because of that, [blank]. Until finally [bank].

A story’s purpose: find why you want to tell this story, what belief of yours fueled that story, what does it teach and its purpose. Stories with a purpose that you are passionate about have a bigger impact.

“Storytelling is the greatest technology that humans have ever created.” 

The German sociologist from the early 20th-century Max Weber wrote charisma is a quality that sets an individual “apart from ordinary men,” and causes others to treat him as “endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities.”

Charismatic Leadership Tactics range from the use of metaphors and storytelling to nonverbal methods of communication like open posture and animated, representative gestures at key moments.

The more charismatic leadership tactics used, the more individuals will be seen as leader-like by others.

Consider utilizing the exercise below to help develop a positive story:

• Identify a successful event within the organization, or, an accomplishment by its personnel.
• Detail the actions leading up to and following the event in chronological order.
• Develop a 5 minute and 2 minute version of the story for use when speaking with your internal leadership team and personnel.

Looking for a few universal plot patterns reveals things fundamental to how all people think, which are likely to be repeated in the future and relevant to your own situation. This idea also applies to how the economy works.

Economic history can seem complicated because it's part of politics, psychology, sociology, criminology, biology, military, technology, education, finance, etc. But within all that complexity is a lot of similarities.

• People seem to want the same economic things – security, power, admiration, fulfillment.
• They tend to use the same tactics to acquire those things - work, risk, incentives, persuasion, theft, control.
• They tend to fall for the same flaws pursuing those things - overconfidence, pessimism, underestimating how fast things can change, etc.

Although economic history may seem complicated, there are only a small number of broad story plots throughout the world and throughout time.

Human beings are able to creatively solve problems, alone or in a group. This has given rise to many inventions, shaping common goals shared by a group of people.

We needed a 'sticky' idea to spread it among people, and the story narrative is exactly that.

Stories cater to our Ego. A listener puts himself in the shoes of the protagonist of a story, and an idea is given emotional heft and sturdiness.

The more we are able to relate to the central character, the more engaging, effective and memorable a story narrative becomes.

• Invest in a highly competent Director of Communication.
• Be central in choosing stories.
• Personally convey your vision in compelling stories.