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spot. The trouble with those developed on the spot is that they lose their effect if not prompt. And if they are prompt, you don't have time to screen them. The downside of a witty remark at someone else's expense can mean long-lasting, devastating results. When you do come up with originals spontaneously, save them for a repeat performance. |
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Tip 235: Tell good stories. |
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Stories can make a point more clearly, emphasize a point you've already made, give evidence of anyone else's point, translate fuzzy thoughts into clear ones, keep interest, build or change the culture around your workplace, or just relax and entertain people. Your story doesn't have to be funny; it can arouse empathy, create surprise or shock, inspire pride, or anger people so that they take action. |
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Even a story that has a weak point, if well told, serves to entertain. Embellish as you like as long as the primary outline of what happened and why is true. Know when to add detail and when to omit it. Know when to use a preface with your story and when such filler is irrelevant. Know when to pause and when to interrupt yourself. Know when to slow down or speed up. Know when to throw in a bumper-sticker line before moving on to the end. Create suspense just before the punch line or conclusion. In short, dramatize your delivery. |
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Tip 236: Try to relate your stories to the subject at hand. |
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Although not always necessary, the story has a bigger bang if it illuminates or further illustrates the point of the current conversation. Look for at least a narrow bridge from a key word in what has been said so that the story seems to fit. "Carl, your comment on your daughter's attitude about her grades reminds me of a friend back in college. This guy walks into my dorm room . . ." Because this is not a speech or a sermon, the whole gist of the story doesn't have to be "on the point," but there should be some trigger word or thought that generates it. |
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Of course, if you're looking for a new subject, let your story be the lead-in. Build a bridge after the story and hand the subject to someone else: "So somebody tell me I'm not alone in feeling that X. Anybody been in a similar situation?" The idea is not to tell a story that leaves people with the reaction, "So what?" |
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