Hi, fintech fam! 💜

Welcome to our "On Performance" column! 

Every Sunday night, before you start your work week, we provide you with techniques, blueprints, and tactics to create captivating performances – on stages and in meeting rooms – that will propel your career in the fintech industry.

I’ve been very deliberate in selecting the topic for each Sunday read. Each story is meant to contribute to a performance curriculum that shares the essential skills and tactics I’ve developed over my career in journalism, media, fintech, and community.

We began this column by discussing the importance of practice for high-quality performance, regardless of your level or expertise.

We then discussed the challenge of fitting practice into a busy schedule, using startup/tech culture and the hyperactive hive mind as examples.

Before we dive into developing your Personal & Business Brand Story, let's talk about storytelling in general.

Storytelling is the most effective tool in business.

Many successful business leaders have used storytelling to boost their business greatly, and you can do the same.

I have enlisted Anton Briones, Fintech Is Femme co-founder (and my fiancé), who has a background in theatre and scriptwriting, to guide us through this process.

*Spoiler Alert: This article might spoil many movies for you. We will discuss the structure that most films, theater, media, and stories are based on. Once you understand it, you won't be able to ignore it. If you're interested, keep reading because this two-part series will be wildly helpful. 🔥

ON PERFORMANCE

The Most Important Lesson About Storytelling That You'll Ever Learn (Part 1)

What do The Lion King, The Matrix, Barbie, Harry Potter, and The Hunger Games all have in common?

They share a typical narrative structure known as The Hero’s Journey, also called the monomyth. This concept was initially outlined by Joseph Campbell in "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" and gained further recognition in 1992 with Disney screenwriter Christopher Vogler's publication, "The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Storytellers and Screenwriters."

Since the inception of cinema, countless movies have employed The Hero’s Journey structure.

However, its origins trace back to the study of classical tales. Millennia before the advent of cinema, stories of Osiris, Prometheus, Buddha, Moses, Mohammed, and even Jesus adhered to this universal narrative structure.

But how does this relate to your personal story? 

Understanding this arguably universal human narrative is crucial to crafting a compelling narrative. While using the same storytelling structure may seem repetitive or lazy, Anton's advice from our coaching sessions remains impactful.

Contrary to intuition, the Hero’s Journey is about embracing your unique "personal brand of insanity."

While hearing similar stories repeatedly, staying true to your authentic perspective makes others resonate with your narrative, leading them to follow your story wherever it may go.

Authenticity emerges as the key to telling compelling stories and building your audience—a concept I often emphasize on stages.

Watch this 3-minute video on the Hero’s Journey for a quick overview. Although the language may differ, the underlying result remains consistent.

Today, we'll dissect half of the structure within the context of The Lion King, exploring how these universal steps can serve as a framework for nearly any narrative.

Let's dive in.

#1 The Ordinary World

"The world as it is" sets the stage for our story, introducing the protagonist to their ordinary world.

This initial phase allows the audience to familiarize themselves with the character's everyday life and routines.

In our case, Mufasa reigns as the King of Pride Rock, with the lions dominating the Pride lands as far as the eye can see.

#2 The Call to Adventure

The Call to Adventure follows, summoning the hero to embark on a journey or mission that pushes them out of their comfort zone.

This call can manifest as an epiphany, invitation, challenge, or dire need.

I view Mufasa's death as the pivotal Call to Adventure, placing the expectation on Simba to assume the throne as the King's son.

#3 The Refusal of the Call

The Refusal of the Call is a typical stage where the hero hesitates or initially rejects the call, often due to fear or a sense of inadequacy.

Dubbed the Reluctant Hero, most adventurers are still getting ready to embrace their heroic role.

Simba's journey mirrors this reluctance as he leaves Pride Rock, opting for the peace and safety of the Hakuna Matata life with Timon and Pumbaa.

#4 Meeting The Mentor

Meeting The Mentor is the next step, where the hero encounters a guide offering wisdom, guidance, or assistance.

Rafiki stands out as one of my favorite mentors.

#5 Crossing the Threshold

Crossing the Threshold marks the hero's commitment to the adventure, stepping into the unknown or extraordinary world.

This often involves overcoming a "Threshold Guardian"; in Simba's case, he meets Nala in dire need of help.

The Special World becomes Scar's version of Pride Lands—barren, sick, and overrun by hyenas.

#6 Test, Allies, Enemies

Test, Allies, Enemies follows, where the hero faces challenges, forms alliances, and confronts adversaries, gaining experience and learning valuable lessons.

In the Heroes' Journey structure, the narrative is more flexible.

Timon and Pumbaa, Nala, and initial skirmishes in the new Pride Lands all contribute to this section, culminating in the battle with Scar.

To Be Continued…

Rather than covering the entire structure in one go, I've divided this conversation into two parts.

It's essential to lay a solid foundation for your argument.

The stories we tell matter, and understanding this narrative foundation can be a launching point for your presentation, speech, or pitch to investors.

_TACTICS

How to Use the Hero's Journey to Prepare Your Next Presentation, Speech, or Pitch for Success

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