Love Learn Lead March 1, 2018

Maybe being a writer makes me a little biased, but I think as human beings, we have a thing for stories. How else could we explain our need to binge watch TV shows? Or why we wait in long lines when our favorite books are turned into movies? More than any of these though, the thing that has convinced me of this, is my years speaking to teenagers.

Every Sunday morning for over seven years, I used to give a message to seventh and eighth graders. Often, I’d look out into their young faces to find them sleeping, texting, or looking at me like they’d rather be anywhere else. Except, when I was telling them a good story.

Whether sharing with them an embarrassing moment from my youth, or retelling a Bible story in today’s language, they almost always perked up. There is something in our DNA that loves and latches onto stories.

Stories help us escape our reality. But they are also how we make sense of our reality. The stories we tell about ourselves have the power to impact our future. To influence the decisions we make, and the opportunities we do, or do not, go after.

Stories are important.

This month, we will be looking at the stories we tell, the stories we need to tell, and the ones perhaps we’ve forgotten. I will be sharing with you the powerful way looking at my own story has shaped my life, and even be seeking to equip you to look more closely at your own story.

Today, as we begin this month’s focus, I share an inspiring story, a great quote on happy endings, and a Leadership Tip on why stories matter. Enjoy!

Love

A few years ago, world-renown photographer, Jeremy Cowart shared his inspiring life story with the world, through a beautiful video. It is one of overcoming obstacles and thriving in the midst of adversity. But it also made me think differently about what was possible in my own life. It is well worth the watch, and may even change the way you see your future. Check it out here.

What obstacles have you encountered in your life?

Who’s stories have inspired you to prevail?

Learn

If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.

—Orson Welles

Have you ever been tempted to think your story was ending, when really, it was just beginning?

Lead

Leadership Tip #15: Tell Better Stories

I will never forget author, Donald Miller, sharing a story about a conversation he had with a friend. This friend was upset because his teenage daughter was dating a guy that was bad news. As he listened to his friend’s concerns, Miller realized this girl was living a story that told her she needed a boyfriend to be loved. What she needed wasn’t a better boyfriend, but rather a better story for her life. So he shared this with his friend. He asked him about the story he and his family were living, and this inspired his friend to think differently about the situation.

Miller’s friend decided that he, his daughter, and his whole family needed a greater purpose than the one they were living. So that day, he went home and told his kids they were going to raise money to build an orphanage in a foreign country. All of a sudden, the focus of every member of the family changed.

A couple of months later, Miller met with his friend again. He was all excited about the orphanage they were building. And when Miller asked about his daughter and her boyfriend, his friend said she soon realized she didn’t have time for that relationship anymore. She was doing more important things.

The reason many of our organizations or businesses stall, is that their leadership is not telling their people a good story about who they are and what they can accomplish together. Miller’s friend showed his daughter that she had worth and purpose, that she could make a difference in the world—and it changed her life.

As leaders we need to be thinking about the story we are telling about our organization. We need to ask what we are saying with our words, and through our actions. We need to find out from those we lead, the story they are hearing. Then we need to measure it against what it should be, could be, and ultimately, what we want it to be. And finally, we need to start telling a better story.