Journaling daily has become an important practice for me as I strive to learn. Each morning I write down what I am thinking or feeling (or both) and whatever else comes as I reflect on the previous day. This week I learned something important that I hope can help others as well.
A little over a month ago a new VP was hired into the team I work in. He asked several questions with the intent of understanding who I am, what makes me tick, and what excites me about the work I do.
Just over halfway through the conversation he said something to the effect of
“you have explained what drives you with such precision and inspiration that I’m trying to figure out how I can best help you on your journey.”
I told my story in a compelling way, but I did not give my VP a role to play. When I tell my story, I need to remember that I am not the hero but the guide in my journey. I need to tell my story so the one listening can play a key role, the role of the hero, in my journey.
If I make it easy for others to help me then they will. I cannot go on this journey alone.
How do you tell your story? Are you the hero or the guide in your story? I invite you to write down your personal elevator pitch and then modify it to give the listener a role to play.
