Since the beginning of time, humans have been storytellers, weaving yarns to not only delight (or frighten) children, but to shape moral codes, educate, and inspire. Storytelling has a place in every culture and society, and is often an intersection of commonalities and seemingly impossible coincidences of time, place, and station in life. Storytelling is a great equalizer, and has the powerful  ability to speak to the listener’s heart, as well as their mind.

With the capacity for user-generated content to enhance or complement a company or organization’s story, and the impact that social media has to share these stories far and wide, business leaders are standing at a crossroads of continuing to do business as usual, or to engage storytelling as a vital part of their modus operandi.

What stories do you have to tell across your organization? Are you ready to let go of the reigns a bit? Do you have the supports in place to help your employees become storytellers, and to engage your consumers and broader audiences with them? If not, how can you change that?

The fascinating thing about all of the technology we are all getting so used to using, is its capacity to make very real, very human connections – and to do it in a very short period of time. To help us put personal faces on our companies and organizations and the people who are a part of them. Gone are the days of the shiny, printed Annual Report being the place to engage your audience. It  has become so far removed from the day-to-day stories of our work, our passion, and the people it is important to. And while that may be scary for many, and a shift for some, it presents an amazing opportunity to be authentic and responsive, and to create a different kind of in-house culture, and a different type of relationship with your consumers.

It’s time to tell your story. Where will you begin?