5 Reasons to tell Stories People Really Need to Hear

Do you tell stories people really need to hear? About the stuff they really need to know. If you answer “Yes” to this question, the stories you tell always remain the same. And, clients and employees trust you to have their backs over the long haul.

Or, are you telling stories you think people want to hear? So they do not quit their jobs. Or, they retain their account with you, re-hire you, renew your service contract? Chances are, if you answer “Yes” to this question, the slippery stories you tell shape-shift depending on to whom you are speaking. And just what, exactly, you want to accomplish over the short-run.

Consider that slippery stories which initially sell a concept, product or service are not necessarily the stories which retain employees and clients.

Here are 5 reasons to tell stories people really need to hear. For keeping it real and constant when storytelling. Why be tempted to shapeshift? Because, let’s face it together folks, our business environments are doing plenty of that, already.

• First, when your stories remain the same, you evolve into a go-to resource for clients as they navigate business change. Currently, are clients (and employees) uncertain about which version of “you” and your story are going to show up?
• Next, when your stories remain constant you, your clients, and their employees, build off the structural integrity of the story. Thus, you create realistic and feasible objectives, together. Including incorporating wiggle room to accommodate marketplace fluctuation.
• Also, your story consistency demonstrates continuous and genuine concern for the wellbeing and productivity of employees and clients. Why risk appearing to be self-focused?
• Then, maintain connectivity with all the people in your – and your clients’ – organizations who are responsible for client success and retention. Even if these are not the folks signing contracts. When they are co-invested in your value, your story is re-told to an entirely new set of employees and clients.
• Finally, telling the stories people really need to hear, means you never have to remember what you said, and to whom, the last time you spoke with them. What a relief to you both. Do you feel you just might be able to create a more trusting relationship from that differentiated position?

When client retention is involved, instead of client acquisition, rules of engagement subtly change over time.

Today, tomorrow and in the future, you have an unprecedented opportunity to start telling the stories people really need to hear. About the stuff they really need to know. Regardless of whether you – or they – make your numbers or fulfill your KPIs. Because all the pieces of that status quo puzzle are in motion right now. Instead, start trusting in yourself and each other. Move one millimeter beyond what is professionally comfortable, today. Get to where you need to go: tomorrow and in the future. Together.

Are you comfortable telling your stories, these days? Do your stories remain the same or do they shapeshift? 

How about creating strategic stories which result in more than short-term gain? And, building robust yet flexible opportunities for client retention over the long haul? Then let’s take the next steps. Virtually or in-person, your choice. Click on this link and let’s get started. Together.

Babette Ten Haken’s One Millimeter Mindset™  storytelling programs translate across communication disconnects between people and professional disciplines. Build trust and retain clients as you wrestle with today’s continuously changing Internet of Things technical, regulatory and professional environments. Optimize strategic business and human capital value in your organizations. Get everyone to where they need to go. Together. One millimeter at a time.

Find out more about her professional story here. Check out her playbook of communication tools and methods, Do YOU Mean Business? is available on Amazon.com.

Image source: Adobe Stock.