Willa Kammerer | Firestarter Interactive president
In the past six months, our story has changed. All of our stories.
In March we had just begun planning the red-carpet premiere of our documentary film, “Starting at Zero.” Then, the world shut down. We began to transition our event, like so many, to a virtual format, with its own set of new challenges, learning and decisions.
The hardship of the pandemic has been very real. But like so many things in life, the impact has been multidimensional. My team has used it to pioneer new platforms and technologies, and to engage with audiences in a way that previously would not have been possible. It’s also changed the stories we’re telling, and how. From my office, I have traveled the country via Zoom, interviewing governors and early-education leaders from Montana to Virginia, in an effort to gather insight and hope for parents, educators and leaders. I have been stunned by the intimacy of these conversations, and immediacy of the technology that enabled them.
We all suffer from screen fatigue, but our new collective comfort with video also offers such potential: for storytelling and story-sharing. As our lives have become more distanced, we crave connection and shared experience now more than ever. Unlike facts, figures and statistics, storytelling triggers empathy and emotional engagement. Through sharing our authentic experiences, challenges and unique perspectives with each other – our clients and customers, teams and colleagues, networks and new connections – we can build and deepen relationships.
To share our stories is to be vulnerable in a new way, but they are the currency of genuine connection, and our most powerful asset. I can’t wait to hear yours.
