Quotes from Annette Simmons

It is safe to assume that any individual or group you wish to influence has access to more wisdom than they currently use. It is also safe to assume that they also have considerably more facts than they can process effectively. Giving them even more facts adds to the wrong pile. They don't need more facts. They need help finding their wisdom. Contrary to popular belief, bad decisions are rarely made because people don't have all the facts.

The telling and hearing of stories is a bonding ritual that breaks through illusions of separateness and activates a deep sense of our collective interdependence.

Other methods of influence—persuasion, bribery, or charismatic appeals—are push strategies. Story is a pull strategy. If your story is good enough, people—of their own free will—come to the conclusion they can trust you and the message you bring.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a story is worth a thousand assurances.

When studying tools of influence, people always ask the question, "How can I make them listen to me?" They ask because that is what they think they want to learn. Unfortunately, this can never be learned because it can't be done. You can't make someone listen. You can entice, inspire, cajole, stimulate, or fascinate but you cannot make anyone listen to anything. Embracing this fact up-front lets us focus on what we can do.

People follow a person who they feel "speaks the Truth.

Once you give your attention to the title Don't Think of an Elephant, no matter how hard you try you cannot not think of an elephant. It is the same way with stories.

There are six types of stories that will serve you well in your efforts to influence others. 1. "Who I Am" Stories 2. "Why I Am Here" Stories 3. "The Vision" Story 4. "Teaching" Stories 5. "Values-in-Action" Stories 6. "I Know What You Are Thinking

The magic of influence is less in what we say and more in how we say it and who we are.