Effective Story Building/Telling

In early February the FWSF Board held their retreat in San Francisco. We were pleased to host two of the very dynamic Coaches from the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute, CEO, Doy Charnsupharindr and COO, Susan Houlihan, who were invited by our President Darcy Illg to coach the Board on Story Building and specifically telling our own story and how it motivated us to be part of FWSF. Darcy herself volunteers at the Institute.

Among the advice given  – ensure that people will want to hear more by using a vertical takeoff; your story should have a beginning, middle and end; be aware of your tone and non-verbal communication; careful of audience perception vs. your intention and connect with the audience. They helped us to tailor long winded stories into concise/short and effective stories.

Read more about his fabulous organization, the programs they offer and their amazing coaches:  http://www.berkeleyeci.com/. Their programs focus on the critical soft skills leaders require today such as empathy, professional intimacy, leadership presence and effective communication skills.

They shared with us this very inspirational poem by Marianne Williamson titled ‘Our Deepest Fear’

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some us;
It’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we’re liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.