I love anecdotes. These are short stories, true or fictional, that illustrate a point. They capture the essence of a message in a way that facts and figures can't.

For me, a good anecdote is one that makes me stop to reflect. It's also one that I remember long after I finished reading it. Anecdotes are like a poem in that they pack a powerful punch in a few words.

Such is the case with this anecdote from my favorite book Made to Stick by brothers Chip and Dan Heath. The book is all about communicating your message in a way that "sticks" with your audience.

THE RAW MATERIAL:

The first chapter is about making your message simple. But simple doesn't always mean easy. Simplicity calls for clarity and focus. It means stripping away all the non-essential elements, leaving only the core message. Simplicity takes effort, but definitely worth it.

A great example of simplicity is the concept of Commander's Intent. It's the statement of purpose that guides an army through combat. Every decision, every move, every action must be driven by this intent. It ensures that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal. Here's an excerpt on page 28.

The authors then illustrate Southwest Airlines as an example of Commander's Intent at work in a corporate setting:

MY TAKE:

Maybe it's the "damn chicken salad" quote or the flawless execution of ruthless prioritization. Either way, I still remember this anecdote long after the book's pages had turned yellow with age.

With that, I thought it only fitting to create an illustrated version of one of my favorite anecdotes:

All of these and more can be found in the guided brainstorming workbook I recently designed. Anything wise here can be credited to Chip and Dan Heath, whose brilliant ideas inspired it. 🙌🏼

Sources:

Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, by brothers Chip and Dan Heath. Streamline HQ