|
Last month's newsletter was
about the stories that we tell to ourselves in our own minds. This month
we're going to discuss the stories we tell others. Studies
show that people think and learn in stories yet many still try to
explain things in logical steps. Do you? Do you try to lead
by telling and instructing or storytelling?
Some of you may know that I
earned a B.S. degree in Chemistry but many of you don't know
why. As a matter of fact, many of you may wonder why
anyone would want to major in Chemistry. Well, there's
a story behind that.
Teaching Through Stories
In high school, I had a
science teacher who
didn't just talk to us
about memorizing the
periodic table or ionic
bonds and electrons. He
used 'stories' to teach
us the basics of
chemistry. For instance,
instead of just learning
the principles of
nuclear fission, our
science teacher taught
us how nuclear reactors
were constructed. He
taught us what those big
towers were used for and
how it was a safe and
reliable way to produce
energy. He taught us
through
chemistry how the
TV, the refrigerator and
many other every day
items worked. (And of course,
he let us blow things up
in a controlled
environment.)
 For
instance, he told us
about the electrons from
the cathode ray tube and
how there was a focusing
anode that pulled and
directed these electrons
into a tight beam. This
tight, high-speed beam
of electrons flies
through the vacuum in
the tube and hits the
flat screen at the other
end of the tube. In
order to control where
the beam lands, steering
coils are used to create
a magnetic field. If you
ever looked inside a TV
you'd see 2 sets of
coils, one that controls
the horizontal motion of
the beam and one the
controls the vertical
motion. (Do any of you
remember turning those
wheel-like buttons on
your TV to stop your
picture from rolling?)
By controlling the
voltages in the coils,
you can position the
electron beam at any
point on the screen. The
beam paints every other
line as it moves down
the screen -- for
example, every
odd-numbered line. Then,
the next time it moves
down the screen it
paints the even-numbered
lines, alternating back
and forth between
even-numbered and
odd-numbered lines on
each pass. The entire
screen, in two passes,
is painted 30 times
every second. (It
happens so fast, your
eyes and brain can't
even tell that it's
happening.) The screen
is coated with phosphor,
which emits visible
light when struck by the
beam. In a color screen,
there are three
phosphors arranged as
dots or stripes that
emit red, green and blue
light. (Our science
teacher told me to go
look real close at our
TV and I would see a
whole host of red, green
and blue dots.) The
electrons falling back
to their normal state
are what emits the color
of light. From those 3
colors (RGB), every
color on your TV is
created. The story was
amazing to me!
The stories
made chemistry fun and
interesting. I mean,
there weren't many 13 y.o.'s who could tell
you how a TV,
refrigerator and nuclear
power plant worked. I didn't
care to memorize
chemical reactions
(boring), but I loved
knowing was happening
behind the curtain and
being able to explain
it. These stories made
me WANT to learn
Chemistry.
Stories and Emotion
There is new research out that
shows our emotions can lead to better decisions than our
logic. What the studies seem to indicate is that we use
logic to explain or justify the conclusions that we've
reached emotionally.
As leaders, you can use this
knowledge to increase your influence, yet many times in the
corporate world we miss out on this important component.
Many corporations use the hierarchical command and control
type of leadership. You know, "I'm paying you to do a job so
just do it." or "I'm the boss here, do as I say." How
motivated are you to work when that's the environment?
I have a talk that I have given
to various organizations about getting 40% more
cooperation and productivity from your team. I show
empirical evidence that these methods work and work very
well. Many of the attendees can see from my examples and
stories that it WILL work. Yet, inevitably there are a small
handful who can believe that it will work, but not for them.
Just last week one of them wrote, "Your talk is very
practical yet some of what you said just can't happen in
today's work environment." In that message, I see
conflicting messages. Do you? If it's practical, it can be
done, right? But somehow, there is another story that is
telling this person that while it can be done, it can't be
done where he is. I bet his company doesn't have an
environment where stories are used to lead others. Their
employees are probably just showing up and doing their tasks.
That company is missing out on the latent reserve that
people hold back when they don't understand the story behind
what they do.
For instance, let's say your job
is to walk around a warehouse with an empty box and take
items from other larger boxes to fill your box with a
variety. Sounds kind of boring, right? Now, let's get
a little deeper into the story and let you know that what
you are really doing is taking food items from the bigger
boxes and creating a single box of food for a homeless
family. Knowing the story adds a little more meaning and may
give you a little more motivation to do a good job. Now
let's say that I took you to the location where you could
meet the families who were receiving these boxes of food...
What if you were able to see the tears of gratitude in the
eyes of the parents as they reached out with trembling hands
to receive your incredible gift? How would you feel about
walking around the warehouse filling boxes?
Knowing The Stories
Can you think of any other
examples where knowing the story has made a difference? Here
are a few:
Let's look at American
politics... many people who are able to participate, don't
do so. There are bills in Congress that can
impact their lives and they are still complacent. Now look
what happens when you add stories... just take the
healthcare reform bills. If you look at the bill, it's words on a page like any other
bill in the past. But, when you
add the stories ("everyone will have healthcare
benefits" or "there will be death
panels", etc.), you get something much different. You get
passion, emotion, and a larger number of people who are
motivated and involved.
Or, a plane crashes in the ocean
killing all 200+ people on board... Sure, you're sad but
then you find out you knew someone on board. It 'feels' a
little different because now you have a "story" from your
past about that person on board. Let's say that the person
is a dear relative... now you have a whole host of stories
and the emotions are deeper and stronger, right?
And, let's look at all the pink
that has been worn these days of October for Breast Cancer
Awareness. The NFL had coaches, announcers, and players
wearing pink ribbons, pink hats, pink gloves and pink shoes.
The goal post padding was pink with a pink ribbon. Those
players who have a personal story about a woman in their
life having breast cancer probably wore more pink than those
who have not been affected. Why? Those who haven't been
affected, don't have a story. Those who have been impacted
probably have a very compelling story.
Knowing YOUR Stories
In last month's newsletter, I
wrote: "It is YOUR [internal] stories that create
your feelings and emotions. It is your [mind's] story that
explains to you what is going on. It is your story that is
interpreting the facts for you." Knowing this about you
also means that it is true for the people you are leading.
It is THEIR stories that create their feelings and
emotions... that provide them with motivation and enthusiasm
and passion.
Effective and successful leaders
consistently use stories. Effective leaders don't just tell
people what to do, they tell them why they are doing it and
how there task is part of the bigger story or picture.
Stories explain.
Stories elicit
emotions.
Stories change lives by inspiring, motivating and
encouraging others to take action.
Mastering Your Stories
Ok, last month I wrote about
mastering your internal stories, the stories that your mind
tells you. Here are some steps that you can take to master
your external stories and become a truly inspirational and
influential leader. Try the following steps:
-
Look beyond the tasks:
Find the true value behind the actions that you are
asking others to take. A list of tasks or steps needed
to get from point A to point B aren't very inspiring
UNLESS you know WHY you want to go to point B.
-
Create a (true) story containing
INTRINSIC value: Extrinsic or measurable value can be motivating... like
making x dollars or achieving a specified prize. But,
INTRINSIC value is infinitely more valuable and
motivating than the
money or prize. Tell a true story that inspires people to
do the tasks that they already perform. Show them how
they are impacting the lives of others and bringing
infinite value to the world.
-
Call to action: Once
you have shown them the intrinsic value in what they do,
call them to action. Allow them to create their own
internal stories regarding the value they are bringing
to the world. Allow them to be self-motivated in doing
the things they want to do.
-
Reiterate regularly:
Follow up regularly with your stories. Update your
stories with more information and more value. This will
remind your followers that what they are doing is making
a difference.
-
Practice your stories:
Becoming a good storyteller doesn't happen overnight. Be
willing to practice telling your stories every day.
Search for the intrinsic value and the true meaning behind what
you do.
Use your creative, story-telling
mind to craft possibilities not limitations... options not
ultimatums... positive responses not negative emotions.
YOU can do it. YOU are at choice during these pivotal
moments. Sure, it will take practice, but it is far from
impossible.
Are you able to find intrinsic value in
the things you do?
Throughout your life, you may
not have been taught how to spot the intrinsic (infinite)
value in what you do. Think about it: In school, you were
taught to follow the systemic rules and get good grades on
your extrinsic school work. Rarely if ever, were you taught
how learning how to read, write and do math was going to
help you bring infinite value to the world. Most educational
institutions today focus on the two lowest classes of value
and miss out on the class of value that is infinitely more
valuable not only motivating and inspiring but also creating
more extrinsic and systemic value as well.
If you'd like to learn more
about identifying intrinsic value in your life and your
career, give me a call. I'd love to discuss it with you as I
have many services that can help you better understand and
implement. Wouldn't it be nice as a leader to actually be
able to release that 40% latent reserve that your team
members are withholding from your project or initiative?
Plan for your
personal and professional development in 2010!!
I want to encourage you to
consider group coaching for 2010. If possible, talk with
your managers and supervisors about training funds for next
year. You'll need only $1999 for this life-changing 15 week program.
(If you'd like one-on-one coaching, it's only $3299.) Be
sure that you get your personal / professional development
plan in place so that you are ready to get started in
January or February of 2010. (Remember, PMP®
certificants earn 20 PDUs upon completion.)
If you'd like more information
to present to your manager, please let me know.
As always, I promise that you will
forever change your life for the better. (And I don't
just say that, I back it up with a guarantee!)
|
