I’ve had more that enough time to let the dust has settle and I think I’m ready to talk about my favourite session Social Media Camp and how I plan to apply it to my personal life.
The session was called “Brand Culture and Storytelling” and the speaker was David Reeve (@unleashculture) of Unleash Culture.
David explained that every brand story has three emotional hooks: purpose, values and have a hero. This resonated with me and I saw applications both personally and professionally. I already posted about how to implement storytelling into your professional brand, and I wanted to try and capture how I see this approach as a fit for me. David shared several examples of companies that spend as much effort sharing their emotional hook as they do telling people about their product.
Can you answer your “Big Why” in four words?
Your purpose statement is similar to a mission statement except that it’s foward focused and four-words or shorter. Look for why or how you do what you do, rather than what it is that you do. Focus on your character and the things that emotional emphasis.
Here’s my personal purpose statement (it’s a work in progress): Connect with positivity
Now, the next time you meet someone at a networking event, try introducing yourself using your purpose statement. Feel totally awkward? David assured us that this is the feeling of getting the first emotional hook. A more sublte way to integrate your purpose statement is to include it in your email signature.
Define your core values
Values represent who we are not who we would like to be or think we should be. They represent your unique and individual essense and serve as a compass pointing towards what it means to be your true self. Your values can be discerned from how you live in the world and tend to show up time and time again in our lives.
Keep in mind that values aren’t core if you have to read them off a cheat sheet. You need to be able to live your values.
To help identify your values, identify special, peak moments when life was expecially rewarding or poignant, rich or fulfilling and ask yourself what was happening, who was present and what was going on. What were the values being honoured?
Conversely, look at times you were angry, frustrated or upset – these times are likely to signal when an important value was being supressed or compromised.
Luckily, I had already worked out my top core values at a previous workshop. The following is the very top of a list of 25 values that I feel are most important in my life both personally and professionally.
- Individuality: Room for originality and self-reflection
- Fairness: Consider all people equally
- Intelligence: Acquiring and applying knowledge, skills and experience
- Competence: Do things well
I know that these are my core values because when I find myself in a situation where one of these values is tested, it’s almost like I have no control over my emotional reaction. I’ve been in situations where someone is treated unfairly and my blood will boil!
Make someone a hero
Who are the heroes in my life? Currently, I have several roles that represent keys to who I am: coordinator, communicator, mother, best friend, leader. I’m energized by the impact each of these roles has.
- As a secret weapon, I build on the fantastic customer service my office provides by telling the story of our student’s success via social media and traditional channels.
- As my spouse’s best friend, I show my unconditional love and support by helping him achieve his professional and athletic goals.
- I nurture the character and abilities of my children to the fullest by giving them dedicated one-on-one time every day.
- As my Sparks unit’s biggest fan, I boost the confidence of each Spark through discovering, cultivating and recognizing their individual strengths.
Build your story
Be the chief storyteller of your life. It’s up to you and your heroes tell the world.