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We know that stories are a great way to get people to listen.  But, where do we find good stories to tell?

Paul Smith, author of “Lead with a Story”, shared his advice on an episode of The Accidental Creative podcast.

When we can find Moments of Clarity, we find a great story.

Moments of clarity are times when something is revealed – an epiphany, an “ah-ha moment” – when you realize something important and pivotal.  Find them by asking questions like:

• What was the most uncomfortable thing that happened to you at work?
• What are the 2 best decisions that you’ve made?  3 worst decisions?
• What’s one of the most unexpected, but important lessons that you learned in the past 5 years? **this is my favorite**

I’ve put these questions to use and at first I felt a bit uncomfortable asking them because they are not “safe” or “easy” questions.  But, each time I ask them, the conversation changes.  Instead of a technical and almost rehearsed answer, people have opened up to me about something real and shared something very personal.

Answering these questions requires emotion, context, and a sequence of events… a story.