Chief Storyteller Debbie Leber Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS®

“Storytelling is key” - Debbie Leber Do you consider yourself to be an epic storyteller? If so, why?

Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS® REALTORS®­—Whit Young and instructions not to let the black cat believes storytelling is key, and Chris Young.” They were working outside. at the annual awards lunch, we on a new listing in Nevitt, and this So, she goes inside, and as she present a Funny Story award to the agent was meeting Chris at the is walking around, she notices the agent who submits the funniest tale home for a preview. She notes, “I front door is slightly ajar. during their time as a REALTOR®. was learning the ropes and wanted She panics, noting she had not Here was the 2018 Winner: to do everything possible to be a even seen a cat! A while back when this agent professional agent.” Going out the front door, there was new, she was being mentored She was given access to the on the front steps sits a black cat. by, in her words, “two of the Best Nevitt house with very explicit She begins sweet talking the cat, picks it up and is starting back Now came the unpleasant to the house. When she reaches “Now, came the task of calling the seller to confess the front door, the cat begins to you lost their beloved cat. While struggle, hiss, spit and scratch. unpleasant task of on the phone with the sellers—lo She dropped the cat, and it and behold—what does she see? A takes off across the street and into calling the seller to black cat sitting inside the house the soybean field. Now, let’s digress confess you lost in the bay window. The seller a bit here. To fully paint the picture, confirmed there was only one at the beginning of her career, their beloved cat.” cat. What a relief—not to mention this agent dressed up, and on this embarrassing, as well as tiring! particular day, she was wearing a is nothing like informing your And, yes, there were runs all over skirt, jacket, pantyhose and heels. fellow REALTOR® and mentor that her pantyhose! So, here she is chasing the cat you have lost the sellers’ cat and, I bet she has shared a great deal through the field in heels yelling, therefore, maybe the listing. So, of laughs thinking about the “what “Here kitty, kitty! Here kitty, kitty!” together the two of them check out ifs” and very glad she did not catch About this time, Chris Young the wooded fence line and field the other black cat and put it in the arrives to see the house. Now, this eventually concluding that the cat house. agent is glad to see her, but there was gone.

What elements do you believe make a great story? For example, authenticity, real-life experiences, living in the moment.

Real life holds the key. It is authentic and usually most others can identify with the situation.

How has storytelling benefited you, your business, or your association?

Don’t preach—tell a story that educates, and do it in a way that is interesting and fun.