Saturday, May 23, 2015
By Kalea Hall
BOARDMAN
In order to make the most impact, a business person – and anyone else – needs to value the relationship first.
That was the message given by Scott Mann, a 23-year military man and storyteller, who talked to nearly 50 local business people about leadership Friday at the Magic Tree Pub & Eatery on South Avenue.
“The depletion of trust in this society is the biggest problem,” Mann said. “We are going to have to lead in a place that lacks trust.”
Greg Smith of Compco Industries in Columbiana brought Mann in to speak to the business people, local police and a local school district. Smith met Mann at a Bo Eason Personal Story Power event.
“It was something I wanted to bring back [here],” Smith said of Mann’s message.
Mann served as a Green Beret who was immersed in the life of several places around the world from Peru to Afghanistan.
The goal was to learn how the area operated, develop relationships and get people to stand up against tyranny.
In his speech, Mann described two types of society: status and contract.
Status societies are set up with clans. Everything is about the benefit of the group, while contracted societies are about the individual. In status societies, relationships and honor are important. In contracted societies, transactions are more important than relationships.
“I am a fan of individual,” he said. “And the rule of law. I am also a fan of a free market. But the reality is, it is just not enough.”
His message was to keep in mind three points: Have the mindset to know both societies; put relationships before transactions; and tell stories to engage people.
“There is no more powerful vehicle in which you can persuade people to do things than through a story,” he said. “Use it when you are building new clients. Use story and connection and empathy as a way to make a connection first.”
Business people also can use storytelling and empathy in finding new talent and in restoring trust at work.
“Immerse yourself into that situation and restore that trust,” he said.