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What must we do to open our organizations to change? Whether it's pursuing lean or any other transformational change it's only when we break with history that we have a chance for change. One necessary way we do that by changing the stories we tell.

Few business leaders appreciate the power of stories to connect with their audiences.

Business Week just reported on leadership…the kind of leadership that alters forever who we are and where we are going…The Seven Secrets of Inspiring Leaders, by Carmine Gallo. He says it's not a single act, rather it is a set of actions taken over and over that has the chance of effecting permanent change.

These seven actions can make your change effort successful:

1. Demonstrate enthusiasm — constantly.
2. Articulate a compelling course of action.
3. Sell the benefit.
4. Tell more stories.
   Carmine Gallo writes,

   "Inspiring leaders tell memorable stories. Few business leaders appreciate the power of stories to connect with their audiences. A few weeks ago I was working with one of the largest producers of organic food in the country. I can't recall most, if any, of the data they used to prove organic is better. But I remember a story a farmer told. He said when he worked for a conventional grower, his kids could not hug him at the end of the day when he got home. His clothes had to be removed and disinfected. Now, his kids can hug him as soon as he walks off the field. No amount of data can replace that story. And now guess what I think about when I see the organic section in my local grocery store? You got it. The farmer's story. Stories connect with people on an emotional level. Tell more of them."

5. Invite participation.
6. Reinforce an optimistic outlook.
7. Encourage potential.

"Inspiring leaders tell memorable stories."

Story-telling is at the center of leadership. Stories not only change how we see the future, they change how we see ourselves in that future. Don't just tell a story. Re-tell and re-tell those stories that (re)shape who we are in the future.