Perhaps you are thinking that this tip is about not talking so fast when you are telling. No, that is another post (It's Not a Race). This is about something else... but your assumptions may just prove my point.

I was making smoothies in a cheap old blender that I had. As the contents began to turn to frozen slush, it kept spinning without drawing the contents down to the blades. I had to constantly stop it and shake the contents and have them settle to the bottom, then start again.

So I bought a new fangled, expensive blender that was supposed to overcome that problem. I opened it with great anticipation of using pre-programmed buttons to complete my culinary tasks. I loaded it with juice and frozen fruit, and hit the automatic "smoothie" button. I watched as the same thing seemed to happen. The blades began to just spin. I turned it off. I tried again. The same thing. I was frustrated.

I thought, how could they market this if it didn't really work? What a racket! And then I thought... maybe it does work. Maybe I just have to wait. So I began again, but this time I didn't stop the machine once it began to spin. I waited. Eureka! It worked. All by itself, it slowed, then sped up, then it did it again. And it kept on blending and not spinning. All I had to do was trust it and wait.

So... where does this fit for storytellers?

First of all, as a teller, don't be so quick to dismiss a story at first glance. Take a second look. There might just be something there, maybe further or deeper into the story. Give it some time. If, in the end, it really doesn't work for you, you can merely return it to the shelf. Kind of like returning a blender to the store and getting your money back. You've only spent a small amount of time to make an intelligent vs. a quick or rash decision.

Second of all, as listeners, perhaps we need to trust the teller and the story when we listen. Don't be so quick to criticize, or dismiss the teller as "unpracticed" or "unseasoned". There may be value in truly listening to their "whole" story.

In the past, when coaching, I used to stop clients after the first few lines if I felt something needed to be addressed. Boy, did that ever put a damper on being a productive session. Now, my intent is to listen for as long as the client or student needs. Then wait some more. Then ask the client what they need, what are they looking for. If I take my time and don' make assumptions, I can usually get to a place where I say "yes" for both me AND the client.

Wait for it... wait for it...