Make a connection, fast

Share an experience via story about that person that brings him/her alive with detail.  Your story of admiration and gratitude towards someone who embodies the qualities, skills, vision, or values you want to share, it demonstrates humility and gratitude. Humility and gratitude are vital in good leadership and are the essence of personal dignity.  Your story provides clues for listeners to interpret – they may begin to associate that person’s qualities with your own.  The only danger is if you push the association.  Tell the story from a place of admiration and a light touch.  There is nothing worse than telling a story about a character like Nelson Mandela in order to send the message that you and Nelson Mandela are just alike. You aren’t and it just turns people off.