What makes Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People such a long-lasting, unforgettable work?Sure, it’s great writing and the ideas set forth are monumental. But if you narrow it down to a single concept, the success of the book has largely to do with Carnegie’s masterful use of stories. Every point he makes comes tied to an anecdote of someone who tried the idea and succeeded. Or he uses a historical figure we all know and love as an example of a concept working. The ideas draw you in with an unimaginable force: would that force be present in the book if Carnegie had simply laid out the facts without the use of stories? I highly doubt it.
Storytelling has been around since the beginning of time. In fact, it was the main method our ancestors had to communicate information. The fact that stories were passed down from generation to generation is the only reason we have any concept of ancient history. We owe a dept to those who believed in the story of the present.
Today, we as humans struggle to create conversation. We walk around with a “Hello, how are you?” “Fine, thanks” mindset and expect relationships to fly our way. We are surprised when we can connect with no one around us. Yet who do we make our human idols?
- Comedians: Use stories to make people laugh.
- Movie Stars: Live other’s stories on camera for us to connect to.
- Singers: tell stories through the medium of music.
Humans are longing for connection. We gravitate toward that which links us to others and gives us a sense of belonging to a greater goal. Stories do that in a way that nothing else can. It’s pretty simple: if you can win someone’s heart, you can get a concept through to their head. And the best way to get to their heart is to tell them a story that draws them in.
Make use of this! Want to break the ice in an interview? Tell a story. Can’t keep a child from crying? Tell a story. Feel like your conversations need spark? Tell a story.
Storytelling is the lost art of human relationships. Develop it as an artist would his craft.