Simply Said

CHAPTER 2 Once Upon a Time . . . Telling Engaging Stories

I sit on the athletic committee of a club to which I belong. At my first meeting, each of the new members introduced himself or herself to the group. After I introduced myself and shared that I teach communication skills for a living, one of the members said, “Did you ever teach at American Express?” I said I had, but that it had been at least 10 years since I had been there. He said, “I remember you. I took your class. You told this story about your daughter and how even as an infant she had great eye contact.” He then recounted a line or two from the story. He remembered the teaching point from the program because of the story, and he remembered the story because stories stick with us.

The Process

Every story has a beginning, middle, and end. Well . . . most stories eventually end. One of my uncles told stories that went on for so long that his behavior became a family joke. Every time Henry said, “That reminds me of . . .,” eyes would start to roll. A minute into the story, my father, Henry’s brother, would clear his throat. Two minutes in, and my mother would get up and ask if anyone wanted more coffee, anything to get out of the room. Three minutes in, and Henry’s wife, Susan, would say, “Get to the point, dear. What happened?” Henry was slow on the uptake, so he always insisted, “I’m getting there. I have to set the stage first.”

We all have an Uncle Henry in our lives. Don’t be Uncle Henry.

Stories should sound ...