The Power of Story Telling

 

Terrence McNally, a strategic communications consultation, who spoke to our club on February 18, told us that “stories are powerful because they are relatable, authentic, and inspirational.” We are the stories that we tell and they help others to understand who we are. In addition, stories are remembered long after we are gone.

 

McNally said that a good story has a beginning, middle, and end. He views stories as narratives because they have a past, present, and future. “Narratives are still unfolding.” The components of a good story are the introduction of a protagonist, an exciting journey or incident, struggles to overcome obstacles, and a resolution. “The story must leave the audience with a message for them to take away, said McNally.

 

There are various types of stories and they include: performance, lessons learned, what ifs, and challenges faced. McNally, urged us to develop five great stories that define us, highlight our struggles, talk about our achievements or failures, or have a compelling conclusion.

 

McNally has a weekly radio show in Los Angeles (KPFK 90.7 FM) and New York (WBAI 99.5a FM), where he engages the most visionary thinkers, writers, and doers he can find to make sense of the current moment and shed light on the path ahead. Guests are invited to express their authentic selves, share their passion as well as their ideas, and explore new territory.

 

A sampling of his guests include Michael Lewis, author and financial journalist, who explained the Wall Street crash; Father Greg Boyle and one the gang members he hired at LA’s Homeboy Industries; and outspoken Afghanistan Parliament member Malalai Joya.