Bran Ferren, a technologist, entrepreneur and former Walt Disney Co. executive, reminds us: "I've never seen a great military, political or corporate leader who was not a great storyteller. Telling stories is a core competency in business, although it's one we do not pay enough attention to."
Last week will go down in history as a time where fear took hold of world markets. Leaders felt compelled to come up with answers they didn't have. Average citizens and workers watched like deers staring into headlights, seemingly powerless to make sense of or to act in the face of the collapse of their pension and investment funds.
Instead of pretending to have simple answers, the best leaders provide a perspective that uses past successes in overcoming economic challenges to ensure their people that they will be able to bounce back again.
Many current workers have never had to weather difficult economic times. What legacy stories from your organization can you use to rally the hopes and the resolve of your team today? Start your next meeting with a familiar lead, "Let me tell you a story about the time our company...."
At this time of political tension, we, as Americans, need to be aware of a daily choice: panic and inaction or trust and constructive action. You may want to view my first video-post on YouTube as I challenge Americans of both parties to trade their worry for constructive action--"America's Choice: Trust or Panic"(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6DW1PC5GVo).
How could you create your own message to motivate your own team?
(Source: Bran Ferren, INC, October 2000, p. 13. "Highlights from the Inc. 500 conference.")
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