Journalism is a form of storytelling that has always fascinated me. So, during a recent flight, when I saw a movie titled Civil War in the in-flight entertainment lineup, I couldn’t resist. The film, directed by Alex Garland, features Kirsten Dunst as a war photojournalist in a dystopian future where America is at war with itself.
One line in the movie caught my attention:
“It’s not a story if it’s not told.”
As a storytelling practitioner, this resonated deeply with me. After reflecting on it, I concluded that while journalism relies heavily on the act of telling, the definition of a story itself is broader.
A story is simply:
“A description, either true or imagined, of a connected series of events.”
There’s no rule that a story must be told to exist. However, an untold story is like a treasure locked away—it holds no value to anyone. It’s the act of storytelling that breathes life into a story, giving it meaning and power.
Your Untold Story Is a Missed Opportunity
If you’re not sharing your story, you’re not unlocking its potential. An untold story may exist, but it serves no one. In essence, it becomes the best untold story—full of potential, but unrealized.
If this resonates with you and you’re eager to learn how to integrate storytelling into your professional communication, check out my book:
Strategic Storytelling: Why Some Stories Drive Your Success at Work But Others Don’t (released August 15, 2024).
This book has been recognized as:
- 4-time Straits Times Best Seller
- #1 Amazon Best Seller in Business Communication Category.
- Wordery Best Seller
- Waterstones Best Seller
- Recognized as a “Must Read” by the Next Big Idea Club. The Book Club curated by bestselling authors Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink.
Stay Storied!
"I attended your story telling course some time back. And I've enjoyed keeping up my knowledge with your blog. You may not have realised however, that the Whole of Government is implementing Internet Seperation. Hence I'm not able to access the links to read your articles. Could I suggest including a QR code in your emails so that I can use my mobile to scan it and gain immediate access to the article? It would be most helpful"
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