Whoever you are, whatever you are doing, you have a story to tell.
Understanding what the right story is for any given context will help you to build a deeper connection with the people that matter. Now and in the future.
Your story for the Communication Moment you are in now
What stories and story structures can you use in this moment to connect with your audience, the people that matter? How do you want them to feel, what do you want them to think and what do you want them to do after you have communicated?
This could be a media interview where you use a short story to bring your key point about a new scientific discovery to life in a way that non-scientists will understand. Or an anecdote to make a connection during your introductory remarks at an industry networking event.
Your story and where it fits in your broader Story Arc
This may be your own personal longer-term story, the story of your business, or – particularly if you are a founder - a blend of the two.
A story structure such as ‘What – Now, What – So, What’ might be useful for you to briefly root what you are saying today in the past, but then finish by looking ahead and inspiring action. For example, speaking at a company all hands meeting or town hall event.
On a smaller scale it would also work if you have just been promoted to a leadership position within your company and are preparing your opening remarks ahead of your first team meeting with your direct reports who used to be your peers.
Your Leadership Story
Finally, you have the kind of story that bridges between the immediate and the aspirational and that is your own personal Leadership Story. This is where you answer three questions of ‘Who am I?’, ‘Who are we?’ and ‘What are we going to achieve together?’
The aim: others understand what their connection is to you and why what you are doing matters to them, so they support you.
In summary, tell stories.
Today, tomorrow and every day after that. Build story into how you communicate.
This will help you build connections with others.
If you also understand which of these summarised here is right for you, the connections you build will be deeper.