'So what about it?' ...I hear you ask.
Now try to recollect, what was that one thing that you would 'bribe' your mother with each time? That’s for agreeing to her above 'requests'.
The most effective and lethal negotiating tool in the hands of that little kid then was... guess what!
'A story'
"Aai, mala aadhi ek goshta saang"..."Mother, tell me a story first and then I will go to bed". Or “A story first then I will eat this palak sabji'
Nothing worked better than a 'story telling session' as a good negotiating tool in the hands of both the parties- mother and kid.
Yes, it was definitely a win-win situation for both. For both because the kid got her story and the mother was happy with her incredulous achievement.
Whether my mom invented the story on the fly, read it out from the book or worse still, recounted the story for the zillionth time, it always worked like a magic potion. The taste of the green veggies on my plate would suddenly become more palatable and yes, it would also calm down the overzealous hyper active kid and put her to bed at night.
I still remember vividly the story of Ramu and his flying white horse which my mother told me many times over as a kid. A story she may have weaved out of her imagination but a perennial in my classics even today. It was always with the same zeal that she narrated the story, like she was recounting it for the very first time. And even I as the kid used to listen to her wide eyed, with rapt attention as if was listening to it for the first time.
After so many years it’s still cozily ensconced in my memory logs.'Kalicha ghoda' it was called in Marathi. Those were the days, sigh!
“Ok, so what about it? Where are you leading us to?” - I hear a few of my impatient friends ask.
Since time immemorial, wise men have been communicating new learnings /philosophies of life through a story format which has been passed on from generations upon generations. Can you imagine how tough it would have been for them to communicate and for us to grasp if not for the interesting story format. Without the persuasive power of a story, the learnings would have remained just another piece of dispassionate paper document (or palm leaf in those days). With a story it moved the listener/reader emotionally to take the necessary action.
And now take the case today where nothing much has changed.
In our corporate life, a successful product presentation has to have a believable story to hold its audience's attention. Not bullet points and boring graphs.
An effective speaker has to have a compelling story to engage and connect with the audience.
Movies need to have a good script/story to have the box office registers ringing. Have you ever seen how the audience tumbles outside a theatre animatedly discussing the story of the movie they just saw.
Sales pitches and TV commercials make the most impact only with a good story supporting the product USP. 'New improved' claims don't work, they also need an emotional appeal through a good story.
At parties, the person with the most audience would probably be recounting an interesting story. We are always game for 'Once upon a time...' and yes, even when we are grown ups.
A good leader has to have great communication skills with a good story up his sleeve always (based on his experience) to inspire his team members. If you have heard Abdul Kalam ever speaking you would know what I am referring to. His speeches are laced with interesting anecdotes from his rich experience and never preachy in tone. That's what holds the attention of his audience and they are literally and figuratively moved by his words.
There are many examples from our everyday life where stories are essential to make maximum and desired impact. And if told with passion, simplicity and earnestness...believe me has the ability to stay with us for a long time. 'Once upon a time.....' will always remain a favourite regardless of age, class and education.
That my friends, is the story of our lives. So go ahead, let your story be heard!
