Spring 2012

Dear Colleague,

What a great winter we had — mild and uneventful! Although disappointing to many of the avid snow and winter sports lovers who live in New England, it was welcomed by me and several others! Think about the variety of stories we have all told and heard of our experiences during the wintery storms of New England. I still remember my 10 hour commute home during an April snow storm in 1984 and can tell you the exact landmarks where each challenging episode occurred as well as the rollercoaster of emotions they caused. Many of us still share the array of stories about the blizzard of 1978 and how we endured or survived! On the flip side, I am visualizing that the winter of 2012 has left its mark with a host of stories due to its unusually warm weather and absence of snow.

Storytelling

Storytelling is the most compelling way to communicate an event and specifically its results or impact. Whenever I conduct presentations or workshops, I always use storytelling as a way to get my point across - and inevitably the moment I begin a story, you can hear a pin drop in the room. It's a sure way to get and keep people's attention rather than citing a multitude of facts, figures and details. Think of the people you listen to more readily - are they able to capture your undivided attention due to the storytelling nature of their communications?

I think Ken Kesey, author best known for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" says it best (let me say in advance, excuse the French!) - "To hell with facts! We need stories!"

Whether you are a leader trying to inspire and motivate others or a professional at any level aspiring to pursue your goals within or outside of your organization, the best way to influence others and talk about your accomplishments is through storytelling. The key is in capturing the essence of any event and turning it into a story. We may think of it as an art but in reality, there are three easy steps in crafting and communicating your story.

Three Easy Steps of Storytelling

1. Describe the situation - set the stage by identifying the issue at hand

2. Actions taken - outline the specific actions you took to address the issue

3. Results - explain the ultimate impact and outcomes achieved

We all want to make a difference and not only communicate more effectively but to be able to influence others in a way that yields results. Practicing the art of storytelling builds leadership capabilities by emphasizing your value-add while engaging others to follow your lead. Articulating your vision, strategy and actions by way of stories is memorable and allows your listeners to be able to truly relate to you more effectively and intimately. Crafting your story is half the equation and the other half is delivering your story. Do you deliver with passion, enthusiasm and expression? We've all been told the following phrase at one point or another, "it wasn't what you said but how you said it" that made all the difference and can have either negative or positive consequences.

One of my favorite successful businesswomen is Barbara Corcoran, the real estate guru in New York City, who is also an author, entrepreneur, television personality and motivational speaker. One of the books she has authored along with Bruce Littlefield, "Use what you've got…& Other Business Lessons I Learned from My Mom", exemplifies the art of communicating through storytelling. She offers what amounts to a sales manual through life lessons she learned from her mom growing up in a family with ten children! It's humorous, memorable and substantive - an easy read that leaves you with effective tools, strategies and tips.

Other books that will help in building this important skill include:

• "The Leader's Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative" by Stephen Denning

• "Improving Your Storytelling: Beyond the Basics for All Who Tell Stories in Work and Play" by Doug Lipman

• "Power, Influence and Persuasion: Sell Your Ideas and Make Things Happen" by Harvard Business School Press

Some of the most successful leaders have left their mark with their stories. They may have created and built successful businesses, discovered cures for diseases, led our country during difficult trials and tribulations or brought joy and happiness into the lives of others. When we remember incredible people who have influenced others and/or accomplished great things, their legacy is left through the stories told about how they did so - the situation at hand, actions they took, and results they achieved. Every day, at work, home or play, we encounter and experience these stories. How well do we exchange these stories when we replay the events of our day to others? The truth is we don't have to wait to leave our legacy to tell great stories! Every day we have opportunities to relay our accomplishments through the art of storytelling. Practicing this skill will yield strong results in our ability to influence others and leave lasting impressions. Anyone who has children appreciates how impactful it is when you try to make a point to your kids through your own childhood stories. I learned early on that I could continue to preach the dos and don'ts of life or tell them a story about a time when I did or didn't and learned a lesson the hard way especially when it was through a difficult experience! The same can be said about the workplace. We will be more successful communicating with our colleagues, peers, team members and managers when we articulate our message with a clear road map via storytelling.

Most importantly, a great story is only great when it is delivered with authenticity - keep it real, be sincere and genuine in order to build and earn trust! A great quote by Daniel Dennett, a philosopher, writer and cognitive scientist, about storytelling as a way to communicate who we are goes as follows:

"Our fundamental tactic of self-protection, self-control, and self-definition is…telling stories and more particularly concocting and controlling the story we tell others - and ourselves - about who we are."

What are some of your favorite stories that you have heard from individuals about themselves, their organizations and/or challenges and successes OR that you have told about your own accomplishments and/or aspirations? Please be sure to share them with me and others. As you do so, practice the art of storytelling in your daily communications as you carry out your role and influence people every day to achieve your goals and objectives.

Current Updates

This has been a really active year as the market rebounds and we continue to see and hear different patterns emerge. I am seeing consistent demand within the area of talent management. Organizations continue to be concerned about attracting, developing, engaging and retaining top talent as they do more with less. I'm very grateful to say this continues to create much need for my areas of specialty which are executive coaching, leadership development, management training and career development. Most of my work this year has focused on the design, development and delivery of these programs in addition to a high demand for one-on-one executive coaching. It is inspiring to see all this activity in the marketplace and I remain optimistic about the on-going prospects! Please be sure to visit my website at www.ritaballenassociates.com where you can see a sampling of topics for which I offer consulting services, programs and workshops as well as my approach to coaching.

• I continue to be active in several professional organizations and associations. As I finish up my first year as the President of the Association of Career Professionals International - New England, I welcome you to visit our website to consider attending our upcoming June 14th program with Bob Kelleher as our featured speaker. ACPI New England is a network of career professionals in the New England/Boston area offering connection, information and development. "New England's Voice on Career Issues", ACPI-New England is dedicated to developing the expertise of career professionals and organizations through the promotion of professional and business development, networking and best practices. Check out our website at www.acpi-ne.org for more details or to register for our June 14th program.

• It is my honor to say I have recently been elected as a member of the Board of Directors of More Than Words, a non-profit which empowers youths who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business! MTW started in 2004 as a pilot online bookselling venture with a few young men in state custody and then transitioned to a vibrant storefront in 2005 and added café training program in 2008. Youth ages 16-21 work as a team to manage their online and retail bookstore and café as they gain skills and accountability while receiving intensive support to map plans for their future. MTW sticks with youth for the long haul with at least 24 months of follow up support. In addition to their site in Waltham, they recently opened a 2nd site in Boston! Please consider joining me and getting involved by donating books, CDs, DVDs, or volunteering your time or expertise. To learn more about this incredible organization, please feel free to call me or visit their website at www.MTWyouth.org.

• Rita B. Allen Associates, in partnership with Bentley University and Gatti & Associates, had another successful "Best Companies - Best Practices: Keeping the Competitive Edge" Annual Executive Forum this past May. The two companies featured this year were Eastern Bank and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Please look for the upcoming press release for a summary of this annual event.

• Recently, I was invited to start writing a monthly blog and column,
  "Rita's Career Corner" in the Global Business Hub section of boston.com with a new topic each month and an opportunity to post questions and "Ask Rita…". Last month's topic was "Career Planning: A Novelty or Necessity" and this month's topic is "Build your Relationships not your Rolodex!"

Please take a moment to visit my website to see a variety of upcoming programs as well as to read some of my other recently published articles:

• "Human Resources as a Strategic Partner: A Practical Guide"
  Article published in NEHRA's Spring 2012 issue of Insights Magazine,
  by Rita B. Allen
  
• "Change…a good thing!"
  NEHRA Blog, by Rita B. Allen, published January 2012
  
• "Have You Set Your Goals for 2012 Yet - If Not, How is it Holding Back Your Career"
  Article published in NEHRA Newsletter, by Rita B. Allen, February 2012
• "Personal Branding and Marketing Yourself"
  Boston Globe Blog, Boston.com,by Rita B. Allen, published March 2012

Many thanks for your continued support, your business and your referrals! I am grateful for another strong year and welcome the opportunity to be of assistance and continue to provide a variety of talent management consulting and coaching services. Please reach out and share some of your updates, accomplishments and challenges! I look forward to hearing from you!

Best Regards,

Rita B. Allen

Rita B. Allen Associates | 460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 110 | Waltham, MA 02451
781-890-6803 | rita@ritaballenassociates.com | www.ritaballenassociates.com