Epic or everyday?

Quite often our first exposure to inspiring storytelling is when we see a motivational speaker on stage.  And they usually narrate an epic story that involves scaling Mount Everest or sailing around the world solo.  But interestingly in leadership I find what works on a daily basis is not epic stories but everyday stories.  Stories about shopping in Bunnings, or going to a restaurant with friends or dropping your kids off to school.  Everyday stories work because your audience can relate to them.  They can see themselves in your stories.  An epic story has your audience in passive spectator mode, they enjoy the spectacle of your story, but they are not involved in it.  An everyday story on the other hand engages your audience differently. They emotionally invest in your story and relive their own experiences through your story.  Here are some examples of everyday stories that have delivered potent results.  So unless you are a motivational speaker, the next time you embark on a story think everyday not epic, to unlock the power of storytelling.