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MAKING HEADWAY

BY RICH FARRELLY

Credit: Me. The statue of Author Hans Christian Andersen at the City Hall Square, Copenhagen

Welcome to issue #4 of Making Headway, a monthly letter to you, with a focus on doing your best leadership work and hopefully, making some tweaks to your life. I love that you are here. If this was forwarded to you, subscribe here.

Sunday, February 2nd, 2025

Hey Rascal!!

Usually, by this stage, I have generally lost a bit of control of the year. The 'New Year, Tidy Desk' policy has already been breached, random 'New Folder' folders multiply like digital rabbits across my computer drive, the actual folders that have stuff I use have become chaotic again, and the procrastination list gets longer.

I try and make things look like a reset for myself for the year, but if you remember my last letter to you where I mentioned pouring old wine into new bottles, this is kinda what went on. 

This year has kicked off a little different, I am focused on trying to stop this laying of the tracks just as the speeding train is bearing down on me. 

How will I do that? Stay-tuned, because I am not even 50% sure myself, and still getting my head around it. It will involve reminding myself of my 'What's in/What's out list' in my last letter to you. (Maybe go and have a squiz at that before moving forward). 

My favourite of the list is moving away from inertia and gathering momentum. Early polling suggests this is happening. If the momentum is like my first car, it gets driven into the ground pretty fast.

There are honourable mentions which didn't make the final cut of the list. Here's some of them:

IN/OUT for 2025

Kind/Nice
Seeking clarity/Filling the blanks with stories
Adapting with Awareness/Arguing with reality
Content/Restless
Boundaries/Boundless
Problem sensing/Problem avoidance
Critical Thinking/Being critical
Risk/Safe
Messy/Neat
More impact/Work hard
Going home for dinner/Being the answer person all the time
Hope is not a strategy/Hoping things will happen
Maintain/Fix
Ask more/Tell less
Engine idling/Engine revving (I was not sure about this one)
 

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

This story has often been attributed to Ernest Hemmingway. Given early versions of the story date back to the first few years of the 20th century, it probably wasn't his. Ernest was born in 1899. He was a pretty good writer, but did his chubby kid-fingers bang out this six-word story on a toddler-sized Remington & Sons typewriter? I am tippin' NO. 

(Having recently read Wifedom and Kingmaker, it wouldn't surprise me if he did take the credit). 

Baby Shoes is a famous example of a category known as "flash fiction", a hyper-brief narrative story that still has character, plot, and a hint at a larger story.

(Baby Shoes is hyper-hyper-brief. 'Briefiest' isn't a word, but you could be excused for using it here. Flash fiction stories are often longer - up to 1,500 words or so.)

You can't help but ponder the questions this story, written like a classified advertisement, suggests. So many questions:

What happened to the baby? Did the baby die? Was it ever born?  Why are the shoes for sale in the classifieds? Was it a hardship? An illness? Who is putting them up for sale?

* * *

Early Twitter, with its 140-character limit, brought flash fiction back into the spotlight: Say it all, but say it fast.

Now, in 2025, our caffeine-fuelled, goldfish-level attention spans demand brevity. We're all darting from meme to meme, hoarding snippets of info like hyperactive squirrels. 

But the real magic? That’s when you make the reader pause. There is no magic feather like the one Timothy Q. Mouse gave to Dumbo to help him fly. There is no magic at all. The magic is within us.

Help me linger. Make me wonder about the baby. The shoes that stayed in the box. The quiet story behind the advertisement.

* * *

I was first introduced to flash fiction during a simple video-making and editing course. We each drew six random, intriguing words out of a crumpled hat passed around by the enthusiastic facilitator. From these, we crafted a single imaginative paragraph, weaving the words throughout. When we shared our creations with the group, each story had its own distinct charm - funny, thought provoking, poignant, pointless as the next, but it sparked creativity and, more importantly, connection. 

I use the activity as an opening for some of my leadership programs and when I need to energise and challenge the room.

* * *

Can there also be flash non-fiction? Sure can. It's about capturing the heart of a story in a concise, evocative way. The brevity and impact often leave a lasting impression. 

At the moment I am watching the TV Show LOST on Netflix. To clarify, my wife watches it and I am in the room as she cooks and bakes while she is watching it. I am not a fan of the show, but if there is any hint that I am going to get cookie dough, I will suffer through anything. 

We're on our second pass at LOST. I remember watching its first run in the days when most TV series had about 20 episodes per season, the entire planet was on a TV network's schedule, and they released one episode per week. So, to save you plenty of grief and time, here is a seven page summary of the show.

Caught up? Read on.

LOST employs a psychological phenomenon known as the Generation Effect.

The Generation Effect suggests we remember things better when we’re the ones piecing them together - when we generate or complete the information ourselves, rather than just absorbing it.

LOST thrives on this concept with its fragmented, puzzle-like narrative. The show is a riddle we have to solve, and that’s what makes it, and shows like it, stick in our minds and flood forums with endless debates. We’re forced to do the mental heavy lifting to figure out what the heck is going on.

While most shows aim for instant recognition, LOST asks for more. It demands our time, energy, and investment.

LOST breaks the mould (or mold, depending on where you live). Instead of just sitting back, we sit forward, because solving it feels like a challenge we can’t resist. We need to crack it, like deciphering a message on the Enigma machine - complex, but the thrill of unlocking it makes it worth the effort.

The show makes us active participants. We aren’t just watching - we’re working for understanding.

(Twin Peaks was another one to use the Generation Effect for storytelling. Who did kill Laura Palmer? I can't remember. Was it some ghost?)

Alot of the work I do in the leadership coaching and facilitation space uses the Generation Effect. I am quite open that I am a lazy facilitator and ask people to think about and reflect on the concepts I am putting out there for those I coach and participants in programs so they can apply them.

I very rarely do 'X marks the spot'. It is quite thrilling to hear the insights people have when given the space.

* * *

A few months ago, I was listening to an audio book version of All the Colours of The Dark (I use a link to Amazon here, but please support your local bookstore if you are going to buy it).

It is like someone giving a 'Breathe in. Breathe out' account on Facebook of their holiday. It was hard going. Given the reviews of this book, I may get lynched by the literati for having a differing opinion. 

It's a strong plot with a few compelling characters. But I kept getting bogged down by description that was almost too spot-on, a little too accurate.

One scene places us in a dense forest where the protagonist first wakes up. The book’s description of the forest was so vivid and precise - I knew the forest was oppressive. A place where the light barely touched the ground. Forgotten. Silent. The writing explained it all in perfect detail.

And that was the bogged-down bit. 

As a narrative, it offered everything you might expect, yet in doing so, it over-delivered (this is where over-delivering is not ideal) - laying out too much about the setting, the characters, and the internal struggles of our hero as he moves through this place that feels forgotten.

Instead of feeling immersed, I found myself observing passively, detached from the story. The abundance of detail made me less engaged.

It was the opposite of the Generation Effect in play. Instead, it was the Presentation Effect - where information is simply given to you in a complete, pre-packaged form. No mental work required. I had to rewind a few times after I switched off because I drifted my focus to the long white line on the side of road. How do they paint them so straight?

I didn't need to actively build the story in my mind. I didn't need my imagination. The writing had already done pretty much all of the heavy lifting. 

Telling a story doesn't mean chronicling every excruciating, punishing detail.

People don't need your story to be a transcript. They just need a narrative. 

Trust that they will capture nuance: how things were said - not just what was said.

To be honest, I did not continue with the book for long after that. It felt like a weight dragging me down.

Anyway, I am not sure I have a point about stories here, it's just been an interesting thought for me and fun researching. And the advantage of a letter to you over an article or a post on LinkedIn is, I don't have to shape this into a fake point with a snappy headline. Onward!

Speaking of tools.....

There are a couple of frameworks I like to use when thinking about storytelling. 

This first one I picked up recently from Sara Tiefenbrun. Sara is a storytelling coach and in a goal-setting group I am part of. (I'll share more about the dizzyingly high-value of this group another time). Sara shared this framework with us as part of a mini-masterclass. 

It's called the SCARR framework, and it goes like this:

Situation -when and where did the story take place?

Challenge - what was difficult about the situation?

Action - what were the steps you took?

Resolution - explain the change or outcome.

Reflection - what I learned from it.

The structure itself is great and works for me because I tend to jump around a story when I am telling. This can be somewhat annoying for those listening. Anything that keeps me on the tracks. Structure sets you free.

What I also love about it is that it has an inbuilt reminder that if your story is a tough one, tell it from a scar rather than a wound. If something is still raw (a wound) and you are processing it, maybe wait to share it until you are ready (a scar). 

Just a side note: Having taken countless witness statements and elicited evidence from hundreds of witnesses in court, I can tell you that people remain traumatised by events long after everyone else has forgotten them.

Only you will know when it has turned into a scar. 

The other framework is from a friend of mine in my book club, Shawn Callahan. Shawn has literally (not metaphorically) written the book on storytelling. 

Shawn lays out a straightforward process that’s perfect for those who want to make a lasting impact. It's called the Story Mastery Process, and it’s all about making storytelling a habit you can actually use in the workplace or in life generally. The elements are:

Discover: Start by finding great stories in your day-to-day - whether it’s a memorable meeting moment, a client success, or something you heard over coffee.
Remember: Organise these stories so they’re ready to go when you need them. (Because who hasn’t blanked on a good story at the wrong time?)
Share: This is where you bring the story to life. It’s about connecting with your audience, keeping it real, and making your message stick.
Refresh: Stories aren’t one-and-done. Update or retire them over time to keep your narrative fresh and relevant.

The acronym DRSR may not be as catchy as SCARR, but it is simple, practical, and - best of all - it works. 

Both of these dovetail nicely into each other. Consider these for your go-to formulas for making your stories hit the mark. 

How do people make you feel?

Jenny Jerome, who would later become Winston Churchill's mother, had a memorable experience in the late 19th century as a young woman. One evening, she attended a dinner in London where she was seated next to William Gladstone, the Prime Minister of England. She left the dinner convinced that Gladstone was the cleverest person in England.

A couple of weeks later, she found herself seated at another dinner next to Gladstone's great political rival, Benjamin Disraeli. This time, she left the dinner feeling that she was the cleverest person in England.

As the story goes: it’s good to be Gladstone, but it’s better to be Disraeli.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MONTH                (I don't receive anything for these recommendations. I just like them and thought you may be interested)

BOOK

Turning Right by Kay Bretz

This book is like the pep talk you didn’t know you needed - from an ultramarathon champion who’s mastered the art of suffering for success (and learned to love it). Kay takes you on his journey of ditching limiting beliefs, embracing discomfort, and occasionally asking, “Wait, why am I doing this to myself?” The title’s about taking the unconventional path (literally and figuratively), proving that sometimes turning right instead of left is all it takes to unlock your potential. Whether you’re leading a team, chasing big goals, or just trying to survive Monday morning (or any morning for that matter), this book will leave you inspired and ready to run your own race - preferably without 24 hours of non-stop running. Spoiler: He often runs for longer than 24 hours.

* * *

In chilli news....

David Tran, CEO and accidental cult hero, has a dream - but it’s not the kind you’d expect from a man whose hot sauce is practically a household staple. “I never wanted to be a billionaire,” he insists. Nope, his mission is simple: “Make enough fresh chilli sauce so that everyone who wants Huy Fong can have it. Nothing more.”

And he means it. While everything else has skyrocketed in price since the '80s (looking at you, $12 eggs), Tran has never raised the wholesale price of Sriracha. How much is that price, exactly? Well, that’s classified. (Ole Donny Trump may make an Executive Order #923 for its release.)

As for where you can buy Sriracha? “Uh, well… definitely in the U.S., Canada, and Europe,” Tran says. “Probably other places too?” Honestly, he’s not keeping track. This man is too busy making sauce.

And making it right is non-negotiable. The chillies need to be processed within a single day of being picked - meaning Huy Fong’s factory is strategically located just an hour away from Underwood Family Farms in California, its one-and-only chilli supplier for two decades. Expanding chilli production? Not so easy. “I can’t just buy land used for oranges,” Tran explains. “That’s not chilli land.” Obviously.

Perhaps the wildest part? Despite its global cult following, Huy Fong Foods has never hired a salesperson. Not one. Nor have they spent a single dollar on advertising. Because why hype a product that’s already impossible to keep on shelves? “I don’t advertise, because I can’t advertise,” Tran shrugs. A problem every brand on Earth would love to have..

Guest Post

I will persist with this idea of a 'Guest Post' for a little while

We all have something we have crafted or created, or an idea we are toying with, so if you are keen to take it for a test drive or push whatever it is you have to say a little further, let me know and I can include the whole thing or a link to it. It does not have to be polished. Even a photo on a napkin will be enough. Who knows who you will touch. For the avoidance of doubt, all the creative juices remain with you. I am just giving you a platform to tease them out and maybe get feedback.

It doesn't really matter how tenuous, weak or inherently vague the link your creative genius has to the leadership and life theme these letters. The idea is to just give it a red hot crack.

I like to think we are all little cheer squads for each other in this world and our default position is that we all want each other to succeed in business and in life, so feedback and ideas are always welcome. I know it is coming from a good place. I am even open to a ‘letter to the editor’, if you are inspired to write.

Thanks for reading to the bottom and bearing with Making Headway in its baby steps! 

I look forward to writing to you again next month.

Rich

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