In Search of A Cause

Can you recall those “connect the dots” activity books you enjoyed as a child? Remember how the picture would slowly emerge as you connected all the numbered dots on a page? What initially looked like nothing but a ran­dom arrangement of specks magically transformed into something you could easily rec­ognize—leading to a sense of excitement that you successfully revealed something you understood. A well-crafted story works the same way. By connecting the dots for people—i.e., linking all of the facts, points, evidences, and positions—in a way that creates a clear and compelling picture, you can more effectively motivate people to enroll in your cause.

Consider the following indicators of whether you have successfully enrolled people in the cause that embodies your organization’s desired results:

1. I hear people describing the cause to others and repeating it frequently

2. I find myself regularly talking about the cause in compelling ways

3. I feel personally committed to the cause and feel that my own heart and mind are fully invested

4. I can see evidence that people are aligned with our direction and are actively engaged in making it a reality

5. I find that people are so passionate about our cause that they express their opinions openly and frequently if they think we are getting off course

6. I am amazed at the effort people make and the resourcefulness they demonstrate in making sure we are on track to get the result

7. I see a number of positive, telltale signs of motivation in people throughout my organization’s Expecta­tions Chain

If the above statements resonate positively with you, then it’s likely that most of the people you work with are highly invested in your cause. If, on the other hand, these statements fail to resonate, then you should probably do more to capture the hearts and minds of those that you depend upon to help you deliver results

What more can you do? Learn to craft the cause in the form of a compelling story that capture people’s imaginations and inspire them to achieve the desired result. When you express your cause in the form of a story, you make it real and tangi­ble. People are always able to visualize a story in their mind’s eye, making it easier for them to remember the “why” behind your cause. Good stories are retold again and again because people find them compelling and captivating. Ed and Steve Sobel, creators of NFL films, described it perfectly: “Tell me a fact, and I’ll remember. Tell me the truth, and I’ll believe. But tell me a story, and I’ll hold it in my heart forever.” A compelling and captivating story not only creates context, it also gives people a vehicle for easily passing vital information along to others in a powerful and per­suasive way. We all love a good story. If you want people to pay atten­tion to your cause, tell it to them in the form of a story they won’t forget.