The Power of your story

So I am reading a book right now and it is challenging me and filling me with questions...so I thought I would share.

On a personal note I would explain that whenever I hear a book referenced by more than 3 "successful" people I put it on my list to read and draw my own conclusions.

This book deals in Evolutionary terms. I would like to put any theological questions aside and deal with the questions that came up. Hope that's OK.

Yuval Noah Harari writes in his book Sapiens about the power of story. Here is a link.

Not a particular story, but story in general.

In an evolutionary perspective he notes that one of the major differences we humans have compared to other life on this planet, is imagination.

Imagination allows us to be able to hold ideas in our heads. Fiction.  Things that don't exist in reality, but may only exist in the abstract.

The  notion that we can  share and hold ideas in common.

He asks, what is a nation or currency even, but an abstract idea.

This got me thinking.

What is a company but an idea?

Anthropologically, he states that outside of those capable of holding ideas in their head, the groups start to breakdown at around 100 to 150 members.

He talks about the role of stories in social order and history. The work that stories do in holding our groups together. 

He contends we use stories to create the bonds, we use them to grow beyond our small bands or groups.

Seth Godin would call it our "Tribe"

Sounds a lot like the idea of our "brand" to me.

What are you trying to nurture and grow today?

Is it a product? A service?

The size of your company? Your brand?

What is it about what you do, that is different?

What is the story your own tribe carries about themselves?

Just because you did not put something out there, does not mean there is nothing out there.

Do you know what is out there about you?

What message are you sending out?

What stories are you using?

Spread your message today?

Put some time and effort, pick your words carefully, pick your message carriers carefully?

You never know, it may just allow your tribe to get the message.
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It just might allow you to grow...