A client company was running an innovation contest in one of their business units. Anyone could submit an idea that would improve business process for selection. The winner would receive funding and support to have their idea actualized and launched.
The finalists were selected. They were to present their innovation to the Senior Management of this large global firm.
I was called in to coach the finalist teams to prepare them for their presentations and demonstrations. There were four teams who stood out. They were made up of either a solo member or two to three to a team. Each were brilliant in their own right.
One very promising innovator asked to drop out. He was terrified to get up in front of the senior team to tell them about his invention. The organizers were keen to keep him in the game. I could see why. I felt that I was in the presence of a genius when I met him.
For one, he didn’t believe he possessed the language to speak with the C-Level of his organization. He was nervous about being exposed. He lacked confidence in his presentation skills.
But then, once he realized that he could turn his discovery and the details, the message, and his thinking process into a narrative, a story – one where he was able to express the progression of his design and plan, he felt a great relief. It gave him greater comfort.
We worked to organize his thoughts, use language to paint the picture (such as metaphor or analogy); and then, to align his physical expression that resulted in a strong presence, comfort, ease and confidence. He was delighted with the result. And so were the judges.
I am happy to announce that it was he who won the contest. He was up against some pretty stiff competition. I know because I witnessed the other team’s presentations and they were stellar too.
The moral of the story: When in doubt use Story
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