Storytelling, a core career and life strength, is the art and science of influencing others through skillful communication and personal brand; not just telling great stories, but being a great story. And everyone loves a great story. I’m a Nashville-based writer, talent strategist, and certified executive coach. On this website, I share insights […]
By Alexandra DeMarco, Guest Writer Storytelling has been an essential part of my life for as long as I can remember. With two journalists for parents, writing and reading were always emphasized as essential. As a child, storytelling manifested itself in my life in many different forms; I wrote songs, poems and short stories throughout […]
“I walked out of speech class at the beginning of my own speech,” I said, “and when I returned a minute later, my hair was dripping wet and I was carrying a paper bag with a hairdryer, a brush, and Paul Mitchell super-clean sculpting gel.” The audience waited for more. I was participating in the […]
“It was a full 10 seconds before I realized how loud I’d been talking, and that everyone within 50 yards was staring at me,” Baris, 55, said into the microphone, looking sheepishly at the gathering of familiar faces in the cafe–including Liliana, a 28-year-old brand strategist, who was nodding her head while laughing. It was […]
“Mrs. Cavanaugh is a good person,” Zhang Li said as the 41-year-old attorney stood before the judge. “She’s taking responsibility for her own healing. And having quality time with her children is part of that healing process.” The Hon. Maria Santos, in her late 50s with cropped, silver hair, studied Zhang Li for a moment […]
Stories shape us, stick with us, and often inform–even subconsciously–the decisions we make. Stories we tell ourselves about our strengths, good character, and possibilities shape our orientation toward the day’s work and interpersonal communications. Stories about “how much we suck”…well, they have their own way of shaping things.
As you grow mindfulness, learning agility, and storytelling habits into strengths, all three will increasingly interrelate and optimize one another. Here’s how. Mindfulness is the practice of becoming more fully aware of and attentive to, without judgement, what’s taking place within and around you. It’s focus and concentration on steroids. Mindfulness habits cultivate a curious, […]
This morning, as I look forward to seeing Avengers: End Game, I’ve gained a profound insight regarding why certain entertainment totally pushes my “geek button.” It’s a spiritual thing. A spiritual quest, if you will. I’m fascinated by mindfulness meditation, and have been for most of my life; I just didn’t recognize it as such […]
Here’s some unsolicited advice for you: Don’t grovel. You’re better than that. Groveling is not the story you want to tell about yourself. Wondering if you’re groveling or on the verge of groveling? Take note of your thought stream. Are you actively or mentally preparing yourself to practically beg people to like you, listen to […]
Writers are influenced and shaped by the literature of other writers. And while the books of one’s youth and young adulthood are most prominent in this formation process, writers continue to grow and evolve across a lifetime as they discover additional literature. These are the authors who have especially shaped me and continue to do […]