“Once upon a time there was a young girl who loved to read, she worked hard at school and was a good student, but she had a problem ….”
This was the opening line to a series of presentations that I was delivering to secondary school students before the holidays. In all, I spoke to over 250 students over 3 days and I did not start by introducing myself or talking about what we were going to be doing, but I would start with sharing a story. After all, as people, no matter our age, season, or stage in life we love stories. It captures people’s attention and sparks curiosity. We listen attentively, waiting for the storyline nuances, characters, and ultimately the outcome.
Stories are powerful, they connect us to each other, and often there is something we can relate to and understand within it. Whether in business, work, or life in general our ability to share and tell stories can be tremendously impactful. We remember stories, learn from them and often adjust our thinking or behaviour as a result.
Some stories are not always easy to share because the best stories often have challenge, hardship and struggle in the midst. As such, there is a level of vulnerability required, and we do have to consider if we are able to share any particular stories with ease and confidence. After all, if we as a speaker, manager or leader are crying uncontrollably when we are sharing our stories, it is going to be awkward, uncomfortable and the lesson may be lost. I am not saying we should not share those stories, but only 
from a healed, safe and secure place having come to terms with any trauma associated with it.
The story that I started to tell at the beginning of the blog is one of my personal stories. You see I was a child with a stutter, and did not always find speaking easy, and had support from a speech therapist. Yet, now as an adult, I speak confidently and clearly, am an experienced public speaker, and also coach others around public speaking. I share with audiences, particularly younger ones, that an area they may struggle with now, does not have to be the defining feature of their life. I share the importance of accepting our differences and flaws but knowing we still add value to others. In addition, I teach that there are practical skills we can learn and steps we can take to improve our public speaking and delivery.
So what is your story? What have you overcome, or experienced that could become a teachable moment for someone else? When we allow others to see our journey they not only understand us so much more, but we give them permission to share their own struggles or areas of growth too.
This month can I encourage you to share more stories, you may be surprised at who connects with you because they can in some way relate. It may also inspire someone to go another day if they are going through a challenge. Or it may possibly give them the courage to try again or give them the courage to seek support.
Francesca McDowall