To consciously and intentionally develop the “fascination” that I mentioned in the previous post, try this life-long practice (I adapted it from The Radical Edge–look for it in your local bookstore by April 4th!)…
1. Write down the names of one or two key people internal to your business (colleagues, employees, staff, managers, partners, associates, etc.) and one or two key external people (customers, vendors, suppliers, etc.)
2. List everything you know about each person—beyond the “function” he or she serves. Assess how much you know or don’t know about each as a human being.
3. Ask each person to tell you one important story or event from his or her life. Or look for an opportunity to find out more during your next conversation. Ask each to share with you his or her number one business challenge.
4. Ask if there’s some way you can be of service—something you can do to help with each person’s challenge. Even if that person declines your offer, he or she will always appreciate your asking.
5. Pick one or two more people and do it again.
6. Repeat until you run out of people—for the rest of your life, in other words.
Talk about perfect timing! I am in the process of working out the logistics for our Principals’ Retreat next week. I was surfing looking for a picture of The Radical Leap as we read the book after Christmas. I want to revisit our reflections of this outstanding book. I came across Be a Storylearner and will be using it next week. Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas.
Coming to you all the way from El Paso, Texas – specifically the Socorro Independent School District.
Millones de gracias
Anna Lisa Banegas Pena
Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools
Talk about perfect timing! I am in the process of working out the logistics for our Principals’ Retreat next week. I was surfing looking for a picture of The Radical Leap as we read the book after Christmas. I want to revisit our reflections of this outstanding book. I came across Be a Storylearner and will be using it next week. Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas.
Coming to you all the way from El Paso, Texas – specifically the Socorro Independent School District.
Millones de gracias
Anna Lisa Banegas Pena
Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools
The powerful element of stories – whether telling or learning – is generally the story behind the story. Weaving in an object lesson, an element of entertainment, or a critical piece of information makes the story so much more powerful. Anna Lisa has a great point about using this in education, this is a tool and a setting where a tremendous impact can be made. That’s what I liked about your earlier book, Radical Leap, is that the story was real, and you appeared to let the reader LEARN about you through the events. I’ve read it a few times, and the story does not grow stale because of its honesty and truth.
The powerful element of stories – whether telling or learning – is generally the story behind the story. Weaving in an object lesson, an element of entertainment, or a critical piece of information makes the story so much more powerful. Anna Lisa has a great point about using this in education, this is a tool and a setting where a tremendous impact can be made. That’s what I liked about your earlier book, Radical Leap, is that the story was real, and you appeared to let the reader LEARN about you through the events. I’ve read it a few times, and the story does not grow stale because of its honesty and truth.
True, Timothy. Stories are even more powerful when there’s a lesson, a point, a moral. We identify with stories because we’re all living and participating in our own. That’s called the human experience. And, at the proverbial end of the day, we’d all like our stories to have a good, solid meaningful punchline.
By the way, The Radical Edge is a story as well…let me know what you think of it, too…
True, Timothy. Stories are even more powerful when there’s a lesson, a point, a moral. We identify with stories because we’re all living and participating in our own. That’s called the human experience. And, at the proverbial end of the day, we’d all like our stories to have a good, solid meaningful punchline.
By the way, The Radical Edge is a story as well…let me know what you think of it, too…
Steve – I’ll read yours if you read mine (see my website – you’re preaching to the choir on the use of stories). 🙂 Seriously, your book is at the top of my summer reading list. If it’s even remotely in the calibre of Radical LEAP, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it immensely. I’ll let you know once I’ve read it. Keep learning (and telling) those stories…
Steve – I’ll read yours if you read mine (see my website – you’re preaching to the choir on the use of stories). 🙂 Seriously, your book is at the top of my summer reading list. If it’s even remotely in the calibre of Radical LEAP, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it immensely. I’ll let you know once I’ve read it. Keep learning (and telling) those stories…