In a role of public leadership, we really don’t have a choice about telling our story of self.
Marshall Ganz, Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard College

Leaders engaged in the urgent work of urban education have an obligation to know how to tell the story of self: to our Kids, to the community, to potential teachers, to funders, during PD... We want to connect with the values that drive you because they are my values, our values, the community's values. We want to feel inspired. To feel hopeful. We want to feel your impatience with a system that allows our Kids to fail. We want to know how you turn your anger and despair into hope and vision. What are your plans for the near and distant future for our Kids?

Dig deep. Be fearless.

MAPPING Transform stories and data into music and lyrics for your Urban Aria

• M is for Moment Take us to a Moment that holds your Truth and defines you: a challenge or problem that you have worked through; an interaction with a student, family or community member. Tell a particular story because the specific is universal and tells the story of Us. Be succinct.

• A is for Audience Know your audience to connect with them. Ask yourself: Why am I telling this particular story at this particular time? What do they already know? What new information do I bring to them? What do I want them to walk away chewing on, repeating or acting on?

• P is for Prepare and Practice Prepare as though you are answering questions you wish someone would ask you. Weave stories and data which can be defined in many ways including statistical, anecdotal and observational data. Identify questions that you hope no one will ask because someone surely will.
Practice telling your story but don’t memorize it. Ask for specific feedback: Do I seem
authentic? Do I make clear points? Do I inspire you to act?

• P is for Present tense Tell your story in the present tense to bring you and your audience closer to it.

P is NOT for PowerPoint: Use PP sparingly, skillfully and thoughtfully to imprint the message with images and metaphor. Do not use PP to repeat what you are saying. PowerPoint can reduce your gorgeous orchestration to elevator music – your multi-dimensional self-portrait into a paint-by-numbers canvas. You are the storyteller. You have the power. You are what moves people to action.

• I is for Integrate and Inspire Integrate your head and your heart to inspire the audience to feel and to act.

• N is for Now Now is the time to act. Allow a repetitive phrase to emerge that becomes the musical motif for the score you are creating (I have a dream… Yes we can… I do this work because… Because our Kids will lead…)

• G is for Generosity Embody a deep sense of generosity toward your audience and hold a bigger vision of them than they may have of themselves.

For a wonderful discourse on Public Narrative and Marshall Ganz