Strategic Storytelling Inspires Results [Video]

Storytelling may seem like an old-fashioned tool, today — and it is. That’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Life happens in the narratives we tell one another. A story can go where quantitative analysis is denied admission: our hearts. Data can persuade people, but it doesn’t inspire them to act; to do that, you need to wrap your vision in a story that fires the imagination and stirs the soul. - Harrison Monarth, Harvard Business Review 

Storytelling is an artform, but don’t be tempted to think of it as “soft stuff” that doesn’t matter. According to an article in Forbes, storytelling is "a business competency that drives emotional engagement and resulting enhanced business performance.” At our last Breakthrough Conference, we had the pleasure of hearing an inspiring story from one of our clients, Manny Ohomne, the founder and CEO of Samaritan’s Feet. 

Here's Manny's Inspiring Story:

Wow - are you fired up? I know I was inspired listening to this, and so were our conference attendees. I don't think you'll be surprised to learn that we doubled our fundraising goal for Samaritan’s Feet, our charity partner for our Breakthrough Conference, after this rousing speech. It’s no surprise that Manny has been able to take his mission to 90 countries all over the world, inspire over 12,000 new volunteers each year and put shoes on the feet of more than 7 million children. That’s what powerful storytelling can do - inspire people to take action. 

Do you have an inspiring Core Purpose? What’s the reason you are passionate about the work your company does? How can you tell that story in a meaningful way that will connect your team and your customers to the deeper purpose you are striving toward? If you can figure out how to tell the story with just a touch of Manny’s passion, you can inspire your team to achieve amazing results. 

Want to hear more great stories from your mid-market peers? Come to our Breakthrough Conference, the premier gathering of middle market CEOs.

Photo Credit: iStock by Getty Images