Share Your Success Story!
By Lenore Mewton, Career, Business and Executive Coach
What if you had only 3 minutes to influence someone to refer you to others or to hire you, what would you say? Three minutes can be short, but if you’ve ever tried to speak for three minutes straight, it’s a substantial amount of time to make a point or tell a story. Let’s say you have your three minutes on the ‘stage’ – time to pitch your story. How do you decide what and how to tell others your unique value, or your “unique selling points” (USPs)? The following formula can be used to craft your message - it’s up to you to fill in the blanks, to find the story that best describes your top qualities - the strengths you want to lead with.
Creating stories to showcase your strengths requires insight and knowledge of your talents and qualities. Capture your strengths on paper by revisiting positive comments made about you by managers, co-workers, colleague and/or friends. Review past performance materials, letters from satisfied customers or other forms of testimonials to expand your list. Once your list is built, get feedback from a trusted source. Is the list complete? Have them read your list back to you - does it fit the picture you want others to see? With your full list of qualities and talents, you’re ready to build your success stories, using your strengths as your foundation.
Success stories describe how you resolved a challenge, solved a problem, or overcame adversity. Think of a scenario relating to one of the above - Now you have the first piece of the formula: C= Challenge. Here’s an example of a challenge posed by a recent client: “I had two weeks to design and develop a training program for athletes competing in their first Triathlon.”
The second piece of the formula, A= Actions, represents the steps or solutions used to solve the above challenge. This is the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of your problem solving. For example, the above client challenge included the following:
• Reviewed prior training regiments
developed for new athletic competitors
• Designed multi-dimensional training program focusing on strength building,
swimming style, biking best practices, nutrition and safety tips.
• Researched competition course; developed trial runs
The third and final phase of the formula, R= Results, represents the accomplishments achieved. Your results are your unique value - your selling point. Others in your profession or role might employ similar actions (the “A” above), but not everyone will achieve the same R, results. Results demonstrate the ‘how’ you achieve success. For the client above, the results were impressive: “Ten new athletes beat their best practice time for their first Triathlon event - two came in within top 8 contenders…. I received referrals for 6 new clients from satisfied winners of the Triathlon.”
Next time you’re preparing to meet new prospects, or introduce yourself to potential contacts for employment, have your ‘story’ ready to go and comfortable to share. If you’re uncomfortable with sharing success in front of others, you’re not alone. Find a trusted friend; practice using a comfortable, conversational tone to present your strengths. Be sure to utilize the 3 “P’s” of Networking and Interviewing:
• Predict (What type of story is appropriate
for the situation)
• Plan (Organize and complete your story details)
• Practice, Practice, Practice! (Using a tape recorder for solo practice
and/or get coaching feedback from a colleague).
Once you’ve learned the process, continue to gather a portfolio of success stories, from work and non-work experience, then use them to influence others with your strengths!
Lenore Mewton is Principal of LM&A/Lenore Mewton & Associates, a Business, Career and Corporate Coaching firm. Lenore coaches small business owners, executives and individuals on leadership, career and business development. Her free monthly e-newsletter, Your Leader Within ©, is available at www.lenoremewton.com/free-newsletter.htm.
She can be reached at lenore@lenoremewton.com
or 781-639-2659. Web: www.lenoremewton.com
