Should I tell stories professionally?

Lizards are usually meek creatures. They use bluff and deception to persuade adversaries they’re bigger and fiercer than they really are to scare them off.  Our Lizard brain reacts just the same way, when it’s uncertain or nervous and especially when you want to tell stories professionally.

I can instantly spot the Lizard at work.  It’s there the moment someone says: ‘I couldn’t tell this as a story’, having just described something they’ve done that has changed someone else’s world.

The second they claim, ‘I really don’t have any stories to tell.’ And I point out they’ve been active in their field for decades and are sitting on a mountain of value.

The instant they wonder: ‘I’m not sure people would take me seriously if I were to share something personal.

And I ask: ‘Why is it okay for so called successful people to tell their stories and have their listeners lean in wanting to hear more, but it’s not okay for you?’

This is the work of the Lizard protecting your safety and putting up just as formidable a response as it would to a predator!

It’s the process of an exploration of purpose, principles and your value that persuades it you know what you’re talking about, and that it is not only safe, but productive to tell your stories.

To put your Lizard in its box and tell stories professionally contact me to find out the details of the next intimate Why Your Stories Matter workshop at sandy@sandymcdonald.com