October 2025 | The Story You're Telling
- Mister Mike
- Oct 16
- 3 min read
October 2025
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Sir Isaac Newton 1643-1727
We’ve used this opening before — and fittingly so I have a story about that. My wife once asked me if I had a story for everything. After just a moment of thought, I responded, “Wait a minute; I have a story about that!” Those who know me also know that I do seem to have a story about most anything, and too frequently, of little importance.
Systems. We all have them, or we better have! I have always felt that when a customer or guest first engages with any person in your company, even by phone or computer, you have an opportunity to tell your story. From the first words out of our mouths, we start to create images, opinions, and expectations.
When I entered a restaurant recently, I stood there for two minutes (yes, I timed it), waiting for a team member who was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, and casually in conversation with another team member (you can picture it!) After the two-minute wait the team member looked at me and said, “Two?” She was right. There were two of us, standing alone in the lobby. With no smile and no welcome, she picked up two menus, walked to our table, placed the menu on the table, and walked away before we arrived at the table.
Now let’s consider this a bit deeper. I am pretty sure that this restaurant must have some sort of system, standards of service, and some kind of training program for the people that greet their guests. It is my guess the training is NOT: 1) Question number in party; 2) Walk to table, drop off menu; and 3) Walk away. If this is their standard and their system, then they are successful. Regardless of what this company hopes to do during education/training of new hires, this, I am guessing, does not represent their training system and is not what this company wants to happen. It is in fact, though, the story they ARE telling. The question we always bring to the discussion is: where is leadership? The old saying, “To tolerate is to endorse” seems to be thriving here.
We probably all have a story about putting our “systems into action.” The thing is that we all need people that will not only embrace the message of how to do that but will also retell it. What is your story? What are your standards? Story telling is better than any marketing you can do. Your story will live beyond you; marketing always “goes away.” Become a story telling company! Get better as a leader, be sure of your message, share the message, and be sure that others can tell it and pass it on.
Build systems and tell your story! That is my story today!! Be well, my friends!
******
“Story telling is our obligation to the next generation. If all we do is marketing, we are doing a disservice, and not only to our profession, but to our children, and their children. Give something of meaning to your audience by inspiring, engaging and educating them with story. Stop marketing, start story telling.”
Laura Holloway, Founder & Chief of “The Storytelling Agency"
PASS IT ON, YOU GIANTS!!
Michael M. Carney mr.mikecarney@gmail.com
A special thank you to my support team!
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