An example of ‘Story’

In a time of change, the best way to get people to do something new is by inspiring them. And the best way to achieve that is with Story.

We’ve seen that an inspiring Story is built from seven basic building blocks:

• Speak with your own authentic voice
• Make it relevant for your audience
• Show them they have a problem
• Define the future you want to create
• Describe the higher principles, values, or ideals that this will bring to life
• Define the first steps, and show that they are achievable
• Ask people to decide whether or not they will support you

Now, to make this more real, let’s give an example of what this can look like.

To do that, let’s invent one deliberately dull and boring sentence for each of the seven building blocks. And then let’s see what happens when we join the blocks together to form a Story.

Let’s take extra care to make sure that each sentence on its own is tediously uninspiring and bland. Let’s say dull, generic things like “We are facing a difficult situation” and “We have all the tools we need.”

Now let’s see what happens when we combine these boring building blocks in a way that tells a Story:

“We are facing a difficult situation. It is unlike anything we have experienced before. But we come from a long line of people who have faced similar situations and overcome them. We can’t stay as we are, or go back to where we were: we have to move forward. And if we go in the direction I am suggesting then we have the opportunity to build something very special together. By doing this, we will bring to life and uphold our most important values and principles. We already know how to do what needs to be done and we have all the tools we need. The only question is: will you join us now to play your part for those who will come after?”

Each of these sentences on its own is dull, flat, lifeless, and boring. But like your mother’s cooking or the recipe for gunpowder, when you combine these basic ingredients in the right order and the right amounts you can create something that is inspiring and explosive!

If this can happen with the deliberately boring words I chose, just imagine the inspiration you could create with your Story.

What is the Story you are currently telling yourself (and the people around you) about where you are going, why, and how you are going to get there? What would happen if you told a more inspiring Story?