As I have reflected a lot on legacy recently, I thought about the connection to storytelling and how, together, they have woven the fabric of both culture and history in such a powerful way.
Throughout history, some say as long as 2 million years ago, storytelling has been a human tradition that has allowed generations of thought to travel down through time. These thoughts were shared through visual cave paintings to oral songs to rituals. These thoughts provided social mores and guidelines that ensured longevity for humankind. From the Aborigines in Australia, whose storytelling dates back to 18,000 years ago, to Greek tragedies to fireside chats on a cold winter’s night, the purpose of this essential human communication connected each to their heritage as well as their culture and each other.
Today, storytelling has become a dominant marketing elixir that is meant to build understanding and community, like our ancient ancestors. From the Greeks, who were master storytellers, there is drama, heroes and at times, villains. From Social Media influencers to celebrities, they tell their story for recognition and hopefully, profit. Many of these stories neither connect generational wisdom nor weave together culture. At times, one can wonder, thanks to AI, if the stories are even real.
It is time to evolve true storytelling. It should educate, inform and inspire as well as entertain. True storytelling must be authentic and speak from the source, integrate each member of the community and allow participation. True storytelling, as John Steinbeck said, “…is not about the hearer he [or she] will not listen…A great lasting story is about everyone or it will not last. The strange and foreign is not interesting–only the deeply personal and familiar.”
So how can one tell their story – true? And what would the impact be?
One must define the true story purpose, understand and integrate one’s audience’s priorities and perceptions, weave in one’s wisdom and aim to inspire. Above all, a true story becomes a truth and an anchor for another’s life, a beacon for one’s brand. And our legacies.
And how does a true story become a legacy? It is the willingness to share the story and the responsibility to keep it pure.
Gillian