“Tell Me A Story”
I have two teenage daughters. (With just that one sentence I’m sure there are so many questions you have!)
From the time my girls were little, my wife Becky would pick them up from school each afternoon. This was precious time for her to connect with our girls about life and what’s going on. She used to start those conversations with the standard “how was your day?” But she soon found that that really didn’t illicit much of a response (can I get an “Amen” from the parents out there!)
Becky works with me often, in fact we call her StoryPoint’s “Chief People Officer” Some people call themselves a people person, but Becky - well, suffice it to say that I tease her that “empathy” is her superpower. She genuinely feels for people and tries to understand each person that she meets, she also conducts many of the on camera interviews for StoryPoint. So of course it was her that thought of the simple phrase, “tell me a story.” It turns out the kids are natural storytellers. We all love to tell stories and we have so many of them to tell.
That simple lesson applies just as much to business as it does to family. Too often, companies focus on telling a single, polished “brand story”—but the truth is, every business is made up of countless stories. There are stories about your team members and what motivates them, about customers whose lives have been changed by your work, about overcoming challenges, celebrating wins, and even learning from mistakes. Each of these stories has the power to connect, inspire, and build trust.
When you invite your team, your clients, and your community to “tell me a story,” you open the door to authentic moments that go far beyond information and marketing slogans. Stories are what make your business relatable and memorable. They show the heart behind the work and reveal the people who make your company what it is.
Think about it: What if you made space for employees to share why they love what they do? Or invited a customer to tell how your service made a difference in their life? Or even shared a story about a time things didn’t go as planned, but your team pulled together and found a solution? Each of these stories is a thread in the fabric of your business identity.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for building trust, engaging your audience, and creating a lasting impression. It’s not just about standing out from the competition—it’s about forging genuine connections and inspiring loyalty, both inside and outside your organization. So, here’s my challenge to you: Don’t settle for just one story. Start asking, “Tell me a story,” within your business. Listen to the voices around you, celebrate the everyday moments, and share them with your audience. You’ll be amazed at the connections you build and the impact you make. Your next great business story is waiting to be told—maybe all you have to do is ask.
