My wife and I visited a church while visiting some relatives. Their pastor began his message with an anecdote. It was a personal story that involved the pastor and his wife during their dating years. It was funny and seemed to get people’s attention. He then continued into a 3-point sermon about… something. I don’t remember the message, and all I remember about the anecdote was that it involved a futon. I do recall being very confused because the message had nothing to do with the futon story. There was no connection.

Anecdotes are recommended to presenters (including pastors) to help break the ice, bring comic relief and engage the audience. The problem is when the story doesn’t relate to the message. Even if you’re not a pastor or someone who presents, this is relevant to you.

What is the TRUTH about your company’s story, your family’s story, your story?

If you asked colleagues, employees and customers to tell YOUR story, would it be consistent or would the stories vary?

Why would they vary? Because everyone has their own personal experience. We possess our own anecdotal evidence to support our perceptions about most everything. There often isn’t one story, there are several personal stories that make up the narrative. And our personal story IS our truth. Unfortunately, we may be telling a story that doesn’t connect with what people experience. Like the case of the pastor’s sermon I mentioned earlier. You’re telling a story, but people can’t connect it to their experience.

The idea of telling a consistent story isn’t new. Not even close. But are you paying attention to the anecdotes you are creating? Every interaction with someone else is an opportunity to frame the story they tell. If others all start telling the same basic story, you may reach a (tipping) point where people you’ve never directly contacted are helping tell your story. We could call this Critical Anecdotal Mass.

It isn’t about manipulating or distorting the truth. It’s about being authentic, but intentional. It’s stories like Apple’s hyper-controlled design standards, the brilliant generosity of Tom’s Shoes or the affordable build-it-yourself eurostyle of IKEA.

So, let’s put down the futon anecdote, step away slowly and start telling the stories that connect… and matter.