A to Z of Business Storytelling -25

X — X Factor

We are almost in the fag end of this newsletter on A to Z of Business Storytelling. We have covered so many aspects in business storytelling. Many of them revolved around the delivery aspects such as Dialogues, Emotions, Five Senses, Humor, Interaction, Vocal Variety etc. But is it possible for every leader to apply all the mentioned aspects during the business storytelling session? Yes and No. It is possible for few, with conscious efforts and mindfulness. But for many, it may not be possible to leverage all aspects and there is no need to. If someone is strong in just few aspects, then it is ok to leverage only them.

There are some gifts that makes a leader exclusive. This is called X — Factor, which we would discuss today. It’s the factor you’re most passionate about, the skill you’ve perfected over time and effort and plenty of practice, or the work you do that distinguishes you out from everyone else.

There are few leaders who use engaging humor in their sessions. Just because of they are considered charismatic and have huge fan following, others need not ape them just like that. Just for the sake of being humorous on stage, if someone tries to force fit canned humor, it is certain to bomb. One cannot bring humor overnight if it is not his/her X-factor.

When we discuss about X-factor, I am reminded of what my Toastmaster friend Arun. Arun, is a very good articulator on stage. He used to conduct several workshops on stage presence and delivery techniques. Sometime, back when few Toastmasters met at a get together, Arun was telling this story.

Once a participant met him one month after his workshop. This lady said to Arun,

“Arun, I tried to apply whatever you taught me last month, when I was on stage. But when I was making key points, I could not stylishly use my left hand and snap my fingers like you. I tried my level best, but could go nowhere near you.”

Arun asked her.

“Hi, You are Yamini, right?”

“Hey, Thanks for remembering me.”

“Yamini, are you a leftist?”

“No”

“Then how would you get that? I am born leftist. That is why I snap my fingers with my left hand. If you are not a leftist, you may not get it. You don’t have to ape me for everything. Just do whatever comes natural to you.”

The above small anecdote explains us how the X-Factor varies from person to person and one should focus and leverage their own X-Factor.

There are few leaders who are very good in being impromptu. They leverage situations to their advantage while narrating their stories so that the stories become memorable. If you are like them, it is ok. Remember that hey would have got this talent by voracious reading and mingling with people who are good at impromptu responses.

Every leader in an organization is unique and, hence one single system may not work for them. One has to identify what is his or her x-Factor and play to its advantage to win. How can we do that> Here are few tips:-

• Internal Validation: As a leader one would have undergone several training programs. Self analysis is one such genre. Classic examples are Strength Finder by Gallup, DISC assessment, Enneagram assessment etc. After attending these sessions, be conscious of your profile and make use of it during business storytelling sessions.
• External feedback: Whenever you complete a speaking session, few of the participants would come and appreciate you or give feedback. Just make a conscious note of them. Figure out what aspect is being shared repeatedly. For example, if you keep receiving feedback comments like “Your opening humorous anecdote was mind-boggling. I could not control my laughter”, “I am awestruck with your ready-wit, sir”, “After a long time, I could see someone tickling my funny bone”, then it automatically means that you are a humorous person and humor is your X-Factor. On the other hand if you keep receiving feedback comments like “You made the complex topic so simple”, “With one single mindmap, the concept could easily be understood”, “You gave us a simple formula by asking us to remember the acronym”, then it means you are a person with an analytical mindset and Analytical Skill is your X-Factor.
• Listening to Mind-voice: Great leaders keep listening to their mind-voice. Sometimes mind-voice may not have a rational behind it, but still works. For example, just few days before your session, you may hear a mind-voice saying, “This time, make use of dialogues instead of narratives. That would suit better in this occasion” then try it out. Mind-voice is like a North star. It seldom fails.

X-Factor not only helps you to leverage your strength, but also puts you as well the audience in a comfortable position. Then why do we ignore it?

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