“HERE’S YOUR PROBLEM.” 😡 Annoying thing to hear isn’t it. And yet a lot of business strategies and stories open with what’s wrong. More specifically what’s wrong with them. Their business. Their product. Their perspective. Which can put people on the defensive. And YES it’s helpful to see what’s in the way of what people most want. Understanding the obstacle gives you vital insights to overcome it But what if we frame it differently? What if you open with what can go right? Tease the promised land, as Andy Raskin would say Tap into what people desire as Michael Margolis might tell us Get people to lean in instead of walling up Delight their brains BEFORE digging into dilemmas. What would happen? #storytelling #storytellingforbusiness #strategiccommunications
I’ve been trying to adapt this mode of thinking in my own work. Yes, problems exist, but what kind vision of a positive future can we cast for the folks we’re helping. As a recovering cynic, it’s been a little bit of a struggle but we’re getting there.
This is a tricky one for me. I love thinkng in terms of new possibilities but I also love solving problems. It’s how I’m wired. I actually think my brain sees them as one in the same. A problem to solve is an opportunity to create something better.
What's In It For Me! Not You better do this or else! 🙂
Attract with a desirable outcome Empathise with their problems Outline how you can help them Offer proof to back it up Show them how it will feel to have the outcome after overcoming their problems Call them to take action - Any variation of the hero's journey works ideally for most sales/business scripts
Or try, “Here’s why you’re amazing…”
This feels fresh.
Thanks for the kind shout out Jocelyn Brady 🧠 ✌🏼
My best leadership coach once told me, “find the good first”.
I always have my clients look at "what's possible"
🔎 Customer Insights & CX Strategist | Qualitative Researcher | Data-Driven Brand & Consumer Insights | 5+ Years of Turning Data into Customer-Centric Decisions
9moBuild connection first, find genuine points of empathy/attunement, try to get the why of the issue/problem, on a deeper level, establish rapport and relationships (with ppl who have said problem), and then offer another way forward (aka the solution to their problem). sort of like your friend, who needs to you to get their situation first before your drop the barrage of well-intentioned advice. it's hard to bite your tongue. it's hard (not just b/c you want to help) but because all of the above takes timing and finesse, and pointing out a problem is blunt-force trauma in comparison (esp when it is SO glaringly obvious)