Monday, January 19, 2026

"Origin Story" Monday's Warm Cocoa 1.19.2026

"Connection, influence, and real leadership begin when you tell your story authentically.” – John Bates

Origin Story

“Connection, influence, and real leadership begin when you tell your story authentically,” John said with hawk-like intent.

John didn’t stop there. He told a story himself to make his point stick. After all, he also teaches that every story told should make a point.

“Let me tell you how much we all love stories! We spend hours and hours listening to and watching stories. But, when we’re watching a movie and someone you know calls, you touch pause on the movie share in their story! That alone shows you how important the story-connection between people is,” John illustrated.

Telling a story is the very best way for us to remember something. We may not remember the entire story word for word, but we’ll remember the point of the story, if not forever, for a very long time. I can still travel to the past in a flash, to the flicker of a dancing camp fire, to be with a couple of my buddies, to relive stories forged then and there again.

I can see Kevin Young’s matted, camp fire smoked hair, cradled by his interlaced hands behind his head. I see the stars, bright in the dark sky above. One star was moving!

Kevin comments and asks, “look at that one. It’s moving! What’s up with that?”

“It’s a satellite,” I respond.

“Is that via satellite?”

My ears are tickled again by remembered-laughter as I tell him that “via satellite” means “transmitted by satellite” to your TV. At that we laugh and laugh together for a long time before settling into our sleeping bags to ward-off the dropping temperatures of the night. We were friends for years prior to that evening, but our shared experience and that story cemented our bond for our lifetime. People want and need a human such connection.

It is the human connection that allows us to mirror each other as we experience stories. We mirror facial expressions, movements and emotions! We believe the stories that the teller believes! So, give others something wonderful to mirror. How do you do that?

Begin with a story about your own origin. Tell it to others when they ask about you. Do it by purposefully thinking about who you’re talking to and what you want them to know about you.

What is it that makes you, well, you? What is it that one moment that caused you to begin to write the story of the life you’ve been living?

John says, “when you share your origin story you open space for others to share their stories with you as well. It will create deeper trust and relationships with all people. We share stories because they have an impact on others!”

Connection, influence, and real leadership do indeed begin when you tell your own story authentically. We can’t wait to hear your story!

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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qmK_Rav__c636P6Vix0K8pYya7sqP0mi/view?usp=sharing

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