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Building credibility even as we tell vulnerable stories
A few years ago I talked with Masterheart member Eric Klein about how we can develop credibility authentically and he wrote these helpful notes:
One: When wanting to use self-as-example in talking about “vulnerable” experiences like sense-of-credibility etc etc I find it useful to remember a true/example from my childhood. Using childhood stories is powerful because:
You (as the teller) are not (as) identified with that event/age and so can have a sense of care/carefree-ness in the telling. You can have both empathy for your younger self and a loving sense of humor (which makes the audience relax, too).
They (as listeners) can project their emotions into the story because it’s more of a metaphor than a “real life” adult-business-example of doing social media marketing (which may already be overwhelming to hear about).
The part of them that is fearful/doubtful/reactive resides at an earlier age/stage - like the “you” in the story. So, there's a natural (though unconscious) connection.
Two: The focus/reframe on shifting from "feeling credible" towards "cultivating/enjoying connection" is beautiful and it includes (at least) two dimensions:
Connecting with the audience: Specifically their aspirations, needs, “problems”, and innate wisdom/spirit.
Connecting with yourself: Specifically your aspirations, needs, “problems”, and innate wisdom/spirit.
Combining these, we can curate the right focus, information, empathy, and stories.
Three: Our sense of credibility is built on:
Loving our subject.
Caring for our audience.
Caring for the parts in us that are feeling less-than-fully-credible.
Making lots of videos while doing the above.
Responding to the feedback/questions we get as key source of new material (which allows us to recycle through each of these bullet points).
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