Finding Your Voice and Telling Your Story

Lou Heckler entertained us as he shared techniques of story-telling he has used in his thirty-six years as a motivational speaker and coach.

“Your unique voice is the right voice for you,” Heckler said. “Be nosy. Ask questions. Ask people how they do what they’re doing. And listen.” He also shared advice that others had given him. He said that his commanding officer asked how he felt about his new assignment. Heckler said, “Apprehensive,” and the officer replied, “If you ain’t scared, the job ain’t big enough for you.”

“In telling or writing your story,” Heckler said, “ask yourself these questions:

• Is this story big enough? (Does it address big issues?)
• Is it small enough? (Can normal people relate?)”

“As you write, include sensual details – feel, taste, smell.”

“With description, find a happy medium, just enough but not too much. Allow the reader to participate by filling in his/her own details.”

“Make the movie GO; say things in a different way.” To illustrate, Heckler read a story that described a man so tall that “he sits in stages, folding himself.”

“Look for the abnormal in the normal. Look for the normal in the abnormal.”

“Notice things around you, details … Steal ideas.”

Heckler told about listening to a woman in Publix—upset because the meal she’d ordered wasn’t ready—and watching how the manager handled the situation. The manager walked over and touched the upset customer, saying, “We’ll fix this. Would you permit me to bring the food to your house this afternoon? Because of your disappointment, there will be no charge.”

“Read widely and with a purpose. If you subscribe to a number of magazines, always find at least one article with an idea you can use. Keep a file of ‘gems’ you find.”

“Take the macro idea and make it micro . . . rather than abstractions, present individual moments and details.”

“Prepare your elevator pitch, and work on your delivery. Read the book Steal the Show by Michael Port.”

Before closing, Heckler shared a story that kept the audience laughing throughout. We can’t do it justice here, but for those who enjoyed it, bet you’ll remember it forever. It went something like this:  Hungry, I caught a flight to another city, a short flight, but to my surprise, the plane had food on board! One seatmate ordered beef, the other chicken. Neither choice looked appetizing. The flight attendant pressed me to make a decision—“beef or chicken?” “Neither,” I blurted. The attendant bent over and whispered in my ear, “GOOD choice.” Later, in my hotel room, I ordered a turkey sandwich from room service, expecting the usual long wait. The guy who promptly delivered the sandwich treated me like a king, laying out a linen tablecloth and napkin and pouring a cup of fresh-ground, fresh-brewed Columbian coffee—decaffeinated to allow a good night’s sleep. The young man then asked if I would mind filling out a survey because they wanted to improve their service.

Heckler began his career as a television journalist and has worked at stations in Charlotte, Chapel Hill, Richmond, and Indianapolis. In 2012, he was the closing essayist every Friday night on the nationally televised PBS television program, “Nightly Business Report.” Lou has spoken professionally in 47 of the 50 states and a dozen countries. A few of his talks may be seen on YouTube.

Summarized by Art Crummer and Susie Baxter.