Early in my career (20+ years ago), I had a wonderful leader who shared a story that I still remember.
He said he had a friend whose daughter was applying to her dad’s alma mater.
She didn’t want to go there but was going along with his request.
Her strategy was to design a way not to be accepted.
So, in the essay that asked her about what she learned in high school, she wrote:
“I learned to be succinct.”
That’s it.
No detail.
No story.
Just 5 words.
Guess what?
She got in.
Not only that, but they also told her it was the best essay they have seen.
The Lessons
Here’s what I’ve taken away over the years:
- Obviously – The value of being succinct.
- Creativity is rewarded.
- You can control your input, but not the result.
- Impactful insights can be packaged in 5 words (or less).
- There is power in a story. I’ve told this one 100’s of times over the years.
Maybe the story resonated with you and you’ll spread it as well.
Your Turn
Does this story carry insight for you?
What is a story or piece of advice you’ve carried over the years?
Do you have an experience that could be turned into a story to share with others?