The Power Of A Story - Grasshopper

When we were kids, we were taught not to tell tales out of school.

That was good advice . . . if you were talking about gossip.

But telling stories about life? That's something entirely different.

Stories don't just entertain us. They teach us. They help us understand things that facts and opinions often can't.

That reminds me of something that happened about 10 years ago.

I was about to have a procedure where a doctor would be putting a camera down my throat. Since I make my living with my voice, I wanted him to be especially careful.

I mentioned that to him, and he gave me that look that said, "I'm a professional. I know what I'm doing."

So I asked him, "Have you ever seen a Steven Seagal movie?"

He smiled and said he had.

I told him about a scene in a movie where Seagal's young niece is rushed into an emergency room after a drive-by shooting. As the doctors take over, Seagal tells the surgeon, "Treat her like the President of the United States."

The surgeon replies, "We treat all our patients exactly the same."

Then Seagal steps closer, presses his finger against the doctor's chest, looks him in the eye, and repeats, "Like the President of the United States."

As I delivered that last line, I gently put my finger on my doctor's chest and looked him in the eye.

His whole demeanor changed.

In that moment, I stopped being just another patient on his morning schedule.

That's the power of a story.

Think about the stories that have been around forever – from ancient China, to the Buddha, to Jesus, to Aesop. Even our new favorites from movies and songs stay with us because they tell stories that reveal something true about life.

Rod Stewart even recorded an album called Every Picture Tells a Story.

Stories slip past our defenses. They don't lecture us. They invite us in.

These days, we're surrounded by opinions masquerading as facts. Everyone seems determined to prove they're right.

Stories take a different approach.

They let people discover the truth for themselves.

So if you're trying to reach someone, don't just make your point.

Tell them a story.

All the best,