1 . Nothing works 100% of the time. A machine can have a motor replaced but a sales manager can’t have a personality transplant. Maybe a new story about who he is and why customers need him will mean he sells more, but maybe it won’t. Successes of 70% or higher are good. Expect more and you kill good ideas as heartlessly as killing imperfect children.
2 . Tiny details can deliver great power and huge gestures can mean nothing. One plus one doesn’t equal two anymore.
3 . Since the situation, emotional state, and time context are unpredictable the outcome is always unpredictable. [Read more…]
he beginning, finding good stories is difficult. If only because your brain keeps saying, “I can’t tell stories.” or “I’m not a storyteller.” Trust me; if you are breathing you tell stories. The problem is that on a bad day, our stories are about being stressed out (who I am) barely surviving stupid decisions (why I’m here) and counting the days until we can retire (vision). We blame politicians for self interest (values-in-action), repeat stories that prove there is nothing we can do to change things (teaching) because we’ve already tried and failed (I know what you are thinking). Okay…it’s not that bad (I hope) but you will have to work a little harder to find good stories. There are four reliable buckets that are full of good stories. 
Jim Signorelli approaches story using a tried and true process.
Jim says the Provider archetype is very popular with insurance, banking, any service organization. Also popular is the Explorer, for instance a restaurant that is all about finding new tastes and textures. He had a real estate company choose the Outlaw because they think other realtors charge too much and they rebelliously promote the idea that people should “Keep what’s yours.” Their brand included a lot of humor – a good trait of the truly rebellious.