Many of us identify as “storyteller.” I love that. But a reminder to all of us – storytelling doesn’t require skill. We just need to tell our stories!
 
Here’s what I mean: It’s tempting to think that storytelling requires dramatic flair. But it doesn’t. In fact, storytelling doesn’t even require a great story!
 
The most powerful aspect of storytelling is the personal story. People love first-person stories! They’re engaging, relatable and memorable.
 
So don’t overthink it. Shed the self-imposed pressure. You don’t need thrilling content or charisma. Just tell your stories…to your kids, co-workers, and clients. Talk about first jobs, first days, embarrassing moments, lessons learned, successes and failures.
 
Share the real you, and you’ll build connection and trust.
 
But I also think it can be intimidating to everyone else…this myth that telling stories requires specific skills…skills that you may think you lack.
 
You don’t need to dabble in improvisation to tell stories.
You don’t need acting experience to tell stories.
You don’t need ANY specific skill to tell stories.
 
You just need a story.
 
And the story needn’t be dramatic, spectacular, hilarious or dangerous.
 
Here’s what too many of us get wrong: The power of personal stories lies not in the “story” but in the “personal.” Forget the performative aspect of story-telling. It’s not about being funny or dramatic. And it’s not about having a spectacularly amazing story to tell.
 
My keynotes are full of personal stories, and not because I’ve led an unusual life.
 
I tell stories because there’s no better way to connect with an audience. Even better, nothing is more memorable than a story. So start telling your stories!

​Here’s an easy-yet-impactful new year’s resolution for all of us: Let’s commit to starting meetings on time in 2026!
 
How might we accomplish this? Allow me to offer some humble thoughts:

• Look at your watch. At the appointed time…on time…start talking.

• Start by saying, “OK, let’s get started.”
• If people are standing and talking at a sit-down meeting, say “Let’s take our seats and get started.”
• If people are sitting and talking, say “Let’s get started.”

(This isn’t rocket science. And it’s not rude to interrupt people to start a meeting. Quite the contrary…it’s mandatory that we interrupt people to start a meeting.)

• If someone comes in late, there’s no need to acknowledge or welcome them. One, we don’t need to embarrass them for being late. Two, we don’t want to celebrate their tardiness by halting the meeting and announcing their late arrival.
• There’s also no need to explain to a late-arriver why the meeting has begun. Even if your boss is late, there’s rarely a reason to delay a meeting for the boss.

 
Moist importantly, if we arrive late to our OWN meeting…shame on us! This is unacceptable. Resolve to do better in 2026, because make no mistake – teammates lose respect for us when we make them wait.
 
Like I said, this is an easy resolution. Being on-time for meetings only requires a wee bit of mindfulness. And if you’re squeamish about interrupting a talkative bunch, or you think it’s rude to begin before everyone arrives, well, let’s be honest…that’s a “you” problem. But that’s OK. Be thankful you have an easy opportunity to practice a better way.
 
Now let’s get started!