Leaders who cross the chasm from DOING to BECOMING accomplish more! After years of working with and coaching leaders across industries and growth stages I’ve seen a recurring truth. Doing the job of leading is necessary but not sufficient. It might keep the lights on, but it won’t light the path. Here are three core reasons why Number …
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Everyone knows Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why is one of the most popular books, and Ted Talks of all time. However, there is another thought-provoking book written by Dov Seidman, titled How and subtitled “How You Do Anything Means Everything.” I agree with Simon Sinek’s idea of “Start with WHY,” and I think Dov’s …
At the heart of every brand, leader, and organization lies a deep, layered narrative—one shaped by people, places, and experiences over time. Narrative Archeology is our process of uncovering these hidden stories, decoding the forces that shape them, and transforming them into meaningful strategies for personal and professional growth. We believe that real innovation begins …
The Author – Edward O. WilsonThe Book – The Social Conquest of Earth The Excerpt:“Humanity today is like a waking dreamer,caught between the fantasies of sleep and the chaos of the real world.The mind seeks but cannot find the precise place and hour.We have created a Star Wars civilization,with Stone Age emotions,medieval institutions,and godlike technology.We …
Read more “One Thought-Provoking Passage & Five Philosophical Questions”
Positive Psychology Centerhttps://ppc.sas.upenn.edu › learn-more › perma-theory-w… Seligman’s PERMA™ theory of well-being is an attempt to answer these fundamental questions. There are five building blocks that enable flourishing – Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (hence PERMA™) – and there are strategies to increase each.
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing him or herself.” ~ Tolstoy
CQ is IQ + EQ in Action Beyond the well-known concepts of IQ (intelligence quotient) and EQ (emotional quotient) lies another crucial factor that plays a significant role in our overall success and well-being: CQ, or communication quotient. While IQ measures our cognitive abilities and EQ assesses our emotional intelligence, CQ encompasses our ability to …
Get ready for a 27-minute podcast interview with none other than Cassandra Terry, a rockstar Corporate Leader and highly sought-after Mindset Coach. The focus? Personal growth, self-discovery, and using that self-knowledge to crush it in business and life. So, if you’re a business leader or a solo entrepreneur dying to understand how self-awareness can be …
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Recently, I had an awesome chat with Andrea Gillespie, CPA, CHRP, CEC, and PCC, about emotions, EQ, and how crucial it is for leaders to be on top of both. I’ve excerpted a segment of our hour-long episode for you; Andrea chats about how leaders must establish a balance between authenticity and being intentional about their communications. …
Read more “Origin & Odyssey Podcast Episode #1 Andrea Gillespie on Leadership, and Emotions”
Let’s delve into the transformative power of storytelling, guided by the wisdom of narratology and the legendary teachings of Joseph Campbell. Storytelling is not just an art; it’s a profound tool for self-discovery, understanding others, and uncovering the intricate nuances of human relationships that big data and analytics fail to grasp. We explore four groundbreaking …
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The video WE ARE AI sparks intellectual and philosophical questions requiring prompt answers. The video inspires me to look for ways to participate in shaping the decision-making process regarding the enablement of AI. Why? Because AI will significantly impact all of us. The video takes 3 minutes to watch. Have a look, then share your …
In the dynamic business world, the ability to craft and understand four essential narratives can make all the difference. The four stories are your Origin Story, Founder Story, Customer Story, and Product Story. Those four stories serve as the building blocks of your business journey. 1. Origin Story: Know Thyself Your Origin Story is where …
When we are unclear about our values we lack a clear understanding of core principles, beliefs, and priorities. These values are the guiding principles that shape how we make decisions, set goals, and navigate through life. When someone is uncertain about values, they face several challenges in identifying meaningful goals that align with their aspirations. …
Read more “We developed the Narrative Lens to uncover your values, principles, beliefs, and biases.”
Story-Listening Story-listening is a profound exercise in systems thinking. It begins with introspection, where you explore your own narrative to gain a deep understanding of your organization’s identity, values, and purpose. This self-awareness is crucial because it forms the foundation upon which your entire business strategy is built. Once you’ve delved into your own story, …
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Your beliefs become your thoughts Your thoughts become your words Your words become your actions Your actions become your habits Your habits become your values Your values become your destiny Gandhi Life Journey Map Navigator Unlock Your True Potential Join our 4-Day, Story-Driven, Values-Based, Life Journey Mapping Sprint! Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey …
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In the realm of marketing, the art of storytelling is a potent tool that can captivate and engage audiences like never before. However, there’s a hidden gem that can supercharge your storytelling efforts – systems thinking. By adopting a systems thinking approach and viewing your ideal clients through its lenses, you unlock a profound perspective …
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Ben Horowitz, the co-founder of the VC Firm Andreessen Horowitz, shares his thoughts on the strategic essence of story when he says the following: The mistake people makeis thinking the story is just about marketing.No, the story is the strategy.If you make your story better, you make the strategy better. By harnessing the power of …
The process of discovering your heart’s desire requires self-reflection. Set aside time for introspection, and ask yourself profound questions about the people, places, and experiences that stand out as you contemplate your life journey. Use the following prompts to inspire your thinking. Self-Reflection: What truly inspires and excites you? What activities make you lose track of time? Reflect …
Living a good life is more liberating and revealing than changing and becoming. 1 – Focus on Liberation: Strive to liberate yourself from restrictive mindsets, outdated processes, and bureaucratic obstacles, fostering an environment of innovation and creativity. 2 – Encourage Self-Reflection: Business people striving to become high performers can benefit from regular self-reflection to understand …
Let’s explore why self-trust is essential. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe was a great German playwright, author, poet, thinker, and philosopher. He wrote a masterpiece titled Faust. In that masterpiece, the main character embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Grappling with the depths of his desires, aspirations, and values. Goethe writes this line for Faust. “As …
In the vast tapestry of human history, an underlying quest has persisted across cultures and eras—a profound yearning to know oneself. From the ancient wisdom of Lao Tzu to the introspection of Socrates and the timeless words of Shakespeare, the importance of self-awareness has been echoed through the ages. For those who share a deep …
As a business owner, constantly seeking new ways to impress clients and attract new ones is always top-of-mind. I want to share a great tip I recently discovered from the renowned hospitality expert Jon Taffer – the Red Napkin Tip. The Red Napkin Tip is a simple yet powerful technique that elevates customer service. Inspired …
The places we have traveled and what we have seen inform the lens we use to experience the world around us and the people we encounter. PLACE The places where someone has lived or traveled to during their life journey can have a significant impact on who they are today. Here are some ways in …
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Ellen MacArthur is a former professional sailor who became known for breaking the record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe in 2005. However, her experiences on the high seas ultimately led her to found the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2010, a charity that aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. MacArthur …
Read more “Want to know how to invest in circular business practices? Ask Ellen MacArthur”
to renew our relationship with our home planet, EARTH. to renew our relationship with our home planet, EARTH.
I used DALL-E open-source AI tool to create the image below, simply by typing – pastel, tropical, and sunset, and in about 20 seconds, DALL-E produced an artwork. The Future is Now. DALL-E is an AI-powered tool used to turn words into art and is now available for all. I’ve experimented with DALL-E and other …
Throughout history people have always been looking for spaces where they can connect with others on a profound level. Spaces that allow for intimacy, belonging and identity. Communities are an integral part of our existence. They play a vital role in the way we live, work and, most importantly, interact with each other. When we …
Read more “Building a community is essential to brand value, and business growth.”
Launching the 4R Growth Academy Offering: We designed a narrative approach to nurture human skills that make people and businesses stronger. We offer you a step by step process that is character-driver, values-based, and people-first Our methodology is collaborative because we co-create strategies, tactics, and tools to help you create the business impact that enables …
There is much anxiety in boardrooms around the world. Why? Because CXOs want to know why their employees are leaving in droves. Business leaders ask, “We’ve been making progress on our employee engagement strategies. So, tell me, why are our people still leaving?” The term employee engagement was first coined by WA Kahn – Academy of …
Read more “The key to stemming the tide of the great reshuffle?”
The internet is over 30 years old. If the worldwide web were a person, she would be an adult fully in her power. By the age of 30, she would have amassed an array of academic training, work experience, coaching, and mentoring too. But, the world wide web isn’t human, and as such, the worldwide …
The Greek philosopher Plato changed my marketing perspective with this quote. “Those who tell the stories rule society.” So I became hooked on storytelling. Then I began creating what I thought were great stories and people mostly said, “Meh?” I was confused; could Plato be wrong? Then, I remembered a great quote from a business …
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Yes, I said servant leadership is the best business growth hack! Growth hacking doesn’t always have to be about behavioral psychology, data, A/B testing, UX, and conversion rate optimization. When you want to reach and engage with people nurturing your servant leader skills helps you create a solid foundation for all the tech. Servant leaders …
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This excerpt is from my conversation with Fred Copesteak, Founder at Brindis and author of Selling Through Partnering Skills. In his book, Fred takes a look at the evolving world of sales. It explores how people can take it to the next level through understanding partnering intelligence (PQ) and using the innovative VALUE Framework, as …
Emotional Intelligence is a Human Skill. Human skills make companies stronger. It’s not about the toughest boss with the loudest opinion. It’s not even about finding the individual with the most exceptional IQ. It’s about motivating people by first seeking to understand them, before seeking to be understood by them. It’s a not-so-secret, secret to …
When leaders understand the neuroscience of effective communications everyone gains. At the core of neuroscience and the brain are how we manage change and decision-making. We pay people to make good decisions and to exercise reason and judgment, that part of the brain is called the prefrontal cortex. Underneath that prefrontal cortex is a little …
The importance of establishing alignment in sales. When sales and the customer achieve alignment you’ve positioned yourself to achieve sales success. B2B selling is about getting everyone on the buy-side into alignment with everyone on the sell-side. Yep, it is as simple as that. Well, not exactly. We know to make any B2B sale requires …
Exploring how human skills make leaders and the businesses they serve stronger. This is a record of my interview with Andrew Deutsch, CEO @ Fangled Tech a consultancy based in Ohio. When we began speaking about Andrew’s international business experiences I discovered he’d visited more than 75 countries. What I found more interesting about the …
Patagonia is an inspirational business because they show us what can happen when leadership commits to the ideals of servant leadership.
The more things change, the more they stay the same, and that is why I’m posting this interview from 2016. I was just as immersed in the art of storytelling and how the stories we tell ourselves define ourselves. Johnathan asked insightful questions that provided a roadmap for me to share much of what I …
Get To Know Your Audience ~> Adam Skelter renowned author, artist, screenwriter, and director presents the keys to winning the attention of your audience. Adam says it’s simple, all you have to do is commit to doing the work to truly know your audience. OK, but there is an awful lot of content created by your …
I live in Tucson, Arizona. The University of Arizona is a vibrant source of high-quality academics and entertainment for residents of the surrounding area. I partake of cheering for the sports teams and on occasion, I attend a docent-led tour of an interesting part of the campus. Never for a moment did I imagine, on one …
The power of visual storytelling Make my skin tingle! Move my eyes to open wide! Move me to feel something! Make my heart beat just a little faster! Move me to feel that feeling that says, hey ~ I’ve never seen anything like this before! Make me hear those messages coming from my gut, my instincts that …
Why does story work as the most compelling call to action for humans?
Well, story is a powerful call to action for humans because we humans think, dream and communicate using vivid stories. We use stories as the building blocks of all of our memories, desires and communications.
Why is the art of telling a story so integral to the history of humankind? Because humans are made to be wired to respond to a well-told story. because stories help us record the history of the world and the uniqueness of the rich tapestry of the people of the world.
Plato once said, “Those that tell the stories rule society.” This notice that story is a most powerful tool in moving people to action is repeated throughout history by Aristotle, the Hopi, and Navajo Indian all have a saying similar to Plato’s attributed to them, which is: “Those who tell the stories rule the world.”
We have always known in our heart and gut that storytelling is a skill central to the success of a leader. There have actually been studies done which evaluate the social success of members of a tribe based upon how well they were valued as storytellers. Those who told the most compelling stories in the village had more wives, more children, bigger social network, more people sharing goods and services with them as an honorarium for their storytelling abilities. In those villages studied the better storyteller you were dictated your status within the community.
Power to the consumer
We all carry computers in our pockets more powerful than the computers running some small and mid-size companies just 30 years ago. On those mobile devices, we have cellular phones, web search engines, and a myriad of efficiency application riding as added value on the screen. Consumers using the mobile devices are the most empowered consumers ever because they have instant access to information vital to making all manner of decisions including buying decisions.
Every time a new mobile device is announced with more applications, better cameras, faster access to data/information consumers gain more power. So what is left for a company trying to reach, engage and nurture conversations with them left to do?
When the consumer has all of the answers, they do not need to call a salesperson. As a matter of fact, new data suggest consumers are much more likely to consult a friend via a social media platform long before they reach out the brand they will ultimately purchase from.
Research presented by social media week:
So what is someone selling anything left to do?
Become like the great leaders throughout history, find your most compelling stories and then put them to work for you? Because a story is the most powerful call to action and its always right there on the tip of our tounge. When trying to reach, engage and call a human to take action use a thoughtful, insightful and compelling story.
Need more convincing? Well, here are a few datapoints to consider.
Your stories have power and we are here to show you how to put your stories to work for you.
Scientific studies and neuroscience confirm for us the epic power of storytelling to reach and engage people. Because humans are wired to respond to a story, that is why storytelling drives sales. In a research, study students were asked to make a one-minute pitch to their class. Only 1 in 10 of the students told a …
Signature Story This short visual story is the signature story of the company FedEx. The founder and Chairman of FedEx, Frederick Wallace “Fred” Smith narrates. Mr. Smith’s narration is delivered with a somber cadence befitting his experiences in wartime Viet Nam. He describes how when bullets were not flying overhead, he would observe how military …