Unveiling the Power of Personal Stories: A Journey of Connection and Humanity

Since I read Beverly Glick's book, a whole world of stories and words started unraveling in front of me. Her book is about writing personal stories from keywords. I began taking notes of the stories that unfolded around me. 

Here's a short real story that happened to me recently. 

After the story, I'd like to reflect on why stories are powerful tools. They connect with people on an emotional level. They can help make an organization or brand seem human. 

A Serendipitous Encounter with a Gardener

A few days ago, I went to the gym, and on my way back home, I was walking down the street, which I always walk. I noticed a man watering some plants and approached him curiously from behind. He was someone I had never met before. I knew the house well because it was full of pots, plants, flowers, and vegetables. I have been walking past that same house for a while and always noticed it had small bay trees. I found the trees very tempting because I needed some leaves to make my Italian ragù.

I slowed down, stopped, and asked if he owned the house and if it was his garden. 

We started a conversation. 

The first thing he said was that he believed in humanity. He loved people, and having a garden gave him the opportunity to see how his plants affected people. And that made him happy, too. He also said he had installed a CCTV camera to see the faces of people. They looked at his gnomes, flowers, and plants. 

At first, I thought that was a bit awkward. But, I was immediately hooked by this man's charm. He had traveled around the world, seen things, lived lives, and knew how to be with people, which intrigued me. I also noticed his kindness and generosity. He'd wave and step aside every few seconds to make room for others. He'd also say hi to the neighbors. 

He's indeed a popular man.

We continued our conversation. He shared that making others happy was important because it made him glad, too. I then told him I admired his bay leaf trees and asked if I could take some bay leaves for my ragù. He told me I should have asked earlier because he had a massive tree at the back of the house. He also had a small pot with a young bay plant to give me. He gave it to me and explained how to look after the plant, providing a stick to use. He told me this was a Japanese technique, and it felt like a beautiful gift.

I shared that I was a Buddhist. We saw a big bumblebee buzzing around his plants. I told him that he attracted both people and bees, and he smiled at me. I then offered to give him one of my painted stones in exchange for the plant. Delighted, he revealed that he also painted stones and rocks. We shook hands like old friends, feeling a profound connection.

He told me about his travels to Italy and Greece, where he made a living playing cards and selling painted rocks. One day, someone bought a painted stone from him for £5. This sparked a small business that helped him get by for a while. He also invited me to see his workshop at the back of the house, but I was in a hurry, so I promised to visit another time. We decided to keep in touch, and I realised what a beautiful neighbour he was.

I told him I would drop by with a letter in a few days to continue our conversation and thanked him for making my day. He replied that I had also made his day, and we parted as old friends.

As I walked away, I felt a calm and warmth from the street. His positive attitude and joy infectiously affect the whole neighborhood.

Openness and Kindness

This encounter made me realise something. Making someone happy requires only openness and kindness. People complain about how hard it is to connect with others today. But it's quite simple. It's about being open, walking the streets, listening, and looking around. And it’s also about taking the time and allowing the encounter to flourish.

This incredible encounter will stay with me forever and has truly changed my life.

Stories Around Us

There are many similar stories in the world, and the truth is that we've already been sitting on them. They are part of our values. Our purpose fuels them. Our culture and operations embed them. They are on our social media feeds. They are in the people we work with, our partners, and in offices around the world. They are in the customers we serve, sell products to, or offer services to. These stories already exist. Those that harmonize with our purpose and values resonate deeply, making a difference. 

With these stories we can create waves of change. We can become known as a brand or organization driven by social and environmental impact. We need to focus on these aspects. We should use them in our web and social media posts. We should base our strategy around these stories.

The Power of Stories

The power of stories is undeniable. Yet, we must also focus on important stories. We've got to do so without the urge to share something unnecessary.

Good stories move people. They act with genuine intention and sincerity. They speak to hearts and real needs without spoon-feeding. Establish a profound connection with them through open dialogue. We've got to go beyond selling them things they don't need. Our brand's values, the organization's values, and purpose match their genuine needs. In that magic, connection and alignment shine. They become something new, creating a deep tie with customers or citizens.

Returning to my story, this experience had a profound effect on me. It inspired me to take action, filling my heart. Discovering synchronicities with this man made me feel more connected with him. It also made me feel more connected with humanity. Our shared discovery struck a deep chord within me. 

I have been living close to that street for the last three years. It's surprising that I had never met this man. Interestingly, after that, I met this man several times on the street. We discovered even more synchronicities, and it's turned out that we even go to the same gym. We both agreed that having a gym session together would be nice. 

That's the power of stories. They create links between people. They create synchronicities. They develop mirror effects between people, leaving us with awe and surprise.

Stories give us a sense of adventure and a sense of being in the right place at the right time. They also help us feel at home and at ease with our circumstances. 

Embracing Stories in Brands and Organizations

So, how can brands and organisations embrace stories? There are many beautiful ways. It all starts with truly understanding the values, culture, and purpose. Then, we must ensure that we align all communication, whether inward or outward, with them. Be bold. Embrace these key elements. They form the skeleton of the brand and organization. Turn them into a sense of power, energy, and fuel to take the brand in a fresh direction.