Being able to tell your story well is an essential skill that can transform ordinary work encounters into memorable ones. However, most people do not put much thought into their experiences and growth and end up glossing over their accomplishments or playing small. The ability to share yourself succinctly and compellingly in a wide variety of circumstances is critical to building connections and relationships, networking, influencing others, and achieving greater outcomes.
Within the context of your career, being able to tell your story has so many applications. To start, you need to have a purpose statement, values, personal and professional goals, areas of development, and learnings from your biggest accomplishments and failures. Knowing yourself well, having confidence in who you are, and being humble to feedback will enable you to engage successfully with anyone and likely even help them.
CareerTruth’s mission is to empower you with the essential tools to showcase the your professional story in a powerful and consistent manner across all platforms – be it your LinkedIn profile, social media accounts, resume, or work samples. Your story is multi-faceted, but there’s only one you, and the common themes from your values and purpose should shine through in every medium you use to present yourself. This is not about shiny branding or slick packaging, it’s about you taking authentic ownership of your narrative. You are the author of your story, describing what brought you here, where you’re headed, and why. And with our guidance, you can achieve mastery, freedom, and leave a legacy through the power of your story.
When you’re in a conversation, people benefit from knowing where you’re coming from and why they should listen to or engage with you. Your credibility or reason for interaction is based on your story. Therefore, you should always be ready with the right story for the moment.
For example, when meeting someone new, you could share a peek into your mind and heart by giving an informal, “walk around” version of your purpose statement. You could also ask for feedback on your big idea, tying it to your bigger purpose and values. When someone asks, “What’s going on?”, be ready to share your current work in a concise and clear manner. Don’t offer the cheap and pat answer they’re expecting that will allow them to tune out and give obvious feedback. Your forethought will prompt them to engage more deeply. Always consider your audience, respect the other person’s time and place, and be aware of your delivery.
In a time where every person is able to prolifically and inexpensively distribute information, storytelling is an imperative skill that can make you memorable. Being able to tell your story well in a wide variety of circumstances is critical to building connections and relationships, networking, influencing others, and achieving greater outcomes. By knowing yourself well, having confidence in who you are, and being humble to feedback, you can engage successfully with anyone and likely even help them.