The Story Factor:

Inspiration, Influence and Persuasion through the Art of Storytelling

People don’t want more information. They want one thing: FAITH. Faith that you are a good person, that you are here for the right reasons. Faith that you mean what you say and know what you are talking about. They want faith that if they change….that it will all turn out okay. Only story can deliver, build, and sustain faith.

Six Stories That Influence

• Who Are YOU?
• Why are you HERE?
• What is your Vision?
• Teaching Stories
• Value in Action Stories
• "I know what you are thinking" Stories

Developing "Who Am I /Why I’m here" Stories:

Step One: What personal qualities make you a trustworthy person?

(i.e. are you compassionate, smart, courageous, honest, etc?)

Write at least two of those qualities here:

 

Step Two: Choose one of these qualities and develop a three-minute story that delivers evidence of that quality. (since you can hardly walk into a room and expect people to believe "I am a trustworthy person"):

• A time in your life when this quality was tested
• A person/event in your life that taught you the importance of this quality
• A time when you failed your own standards and decided to never let it happen again
• A movie/story/event that exemplifies this quality for you.

Step Three: Find someone to listen to your story. Ask them to tell you what they like about the story and what this story tells them about you. Ask them to refrain from making suggestions or giving a critique. Tell it again to someone else.

Step Four: Tell your story the next time you give a presentation or try to influence someone…if it works, tell it again. It will develop and grow into a story that not only helps others have faith in you….but helps you have faith in yourself.