How to research communicators in the wild

If you want to get close to somebody, stand next to them.

That's what actor Dan Hoyle told The New Yorker how he researches the characters for his one man show.

It's excellent advice for networking. But even BETTER advice for leaders who want to become great communicators.

Just as you would move a camera for a film, shot, placing yourself next to somebody puts you in the ideal position to LISTEN and WATCH. Pick up on the story that person is telling, how they interact with others, what they are feeling.

You can be in the conversation or eavesdropping on the person standing in line next to you.

It is the unedited material that a real leader captures and stores for their next meeting... an anecdote on a panel... feedback on their project... new verbiage to deploy.

Effective storytelling -- the key to leadership, GTM, and branding -- starts with tuning in to the world.

Stand next to people and listen.