| When I lived in San Francisco, I bought a stick shift car that I did not know how to drive. To learn, I practiced at 2:00 am on the steep hills of San Francisco – starting, stopping, and parking (without burning the clutch) until I finally got it.
That was 20 years ago, and I don’t live in San Francisco or own that car anymore. But I love telling that brazen story to anyone who hasn’t heard it! It’s easy to share our own stories because we experienced them. More importantly, stories serve our connections. We bond over sagas; we engage and entertain through storytelling; we reveal ourselves through stories. But stories can also distract us. We tell the tale to a friend; they oooh and ahhhh or awww or ewww; and then we find a different friend and repeat the anecdote, eager for their reaction. What’s missing is the insight – our observations, perceptions, and discernment of the situation. To add insight to a story, we must consider what we learned, discovered, or will be doing next because of that experience. > Insights propel our progress. If we can articulate an insight, we have wisdom and can take action. If we only have a story, we’re forever looking for a new audience. My insight from my San Francisco story? Because I was steadfastly committed to learning something new, I exchanged my fears with perseverance and ingenuity. As leaders and mentors, people love to regale us with their heroic or tragic stories. And we want them to feel safe doing so. But to help people progress from storytelling into action, ask about their insights – what did they discover about themselves or the situation? While stories are valuable for connecting, the real journey begins when we identify the insights that propel our progress. © 2020. Ann Tardy and Mentor Lead. www.mentorlead.com | www.anntardy.com |
