The missing storytelling step most pioneers skip
If you are a pioneer, an entrepreneur, work in social impact or change, you'll have heard this phrase thousand times: "that's just not the way things are done". You have a concept you know will make things better for everyone. But you can't get past systemic barriers, gnarly attitudes, or just plain old antipathy.
You've been told the antidote is a good story… one that convinces others to lower their guard and come along with you for the ride.
Storytelling wisdom says this will need to touch people's emotions as well as their reason. You need to find the heart of your story and connect on values and messy feelings, not just the facts. All of this is true, and there's craft to doing this well (without selling your soul).
I've spent a career helping visionaries and researchers do exactly that.
But story can also be a map.
The concept of 'Storydoing' is gaining popularity. It puts your audience at the centre not just of language but of an experience. At its heart, 'Storydoing' is about creating experiences that showcase who you are beyond the words.
We might summarise this approach as Emotional Core + Engaging Experiences = a good story.
I go one step further.
Story isn't just what you SAY to convince others. And it's not just the bespoke experiences you might create for your stakeholders. Story is how YOU show up at every point and interaction. It's the choices you make, the doorways you open, the way you move.
When you're trying to convince others about a 'brand new way of doing things', here's the kicker - YOU GO FIRST.
Yes, you need to find the heart of your story and yes, you should think about how to showcase it but if you stop there, you'll half deliver. The real magic is bringing that story to life across your business —for yourself, you staff and your audience —in a way that can be experienced, felt, believed and trusted.
That's when your story becomes a map that can help others see the direction you're pointing towards and walk the path with you. A story map helps them follow in your footsteps and support you in the ways you need.
Emotional core + engaging experiences + a map of how it aligns from the inside out. That’s story in action.
That's why I've created the Story Shaman Lab, to help you find the heart of your vision: what you care about most, where your joy lives, and the medicine you're bringing to the world. Then through Story Shaman Coaching, I’ll work with you to bring that story to life from the inside out, for yourself, your business and the people you need to reach.
By the end you'll get a complete Story Map that will help you activate your stakeholders and create the impact that can finally bridge your vision with our reality.
The world urgently needs what you're building. So if you're a Pioneer who can feel what needs to happen but can't articulate it yet...
Or you're trying to convince others to believe in your vision but the story isn't landing...
Or you're building something new and know you need to embody it before you can scale...