🔥 The cow didn’t do It…but the story stuck 🐄

On October 8, 1871, the Windy City experienced The Great Chicago Fire.
 
Nearly 1/3 of Chicago was left homeless.
 
But that’s not the wildest part…
 
For over a century, everyone blamed a cow.
 
That infamous story (of a lantern kicked over by Catherine O’Leary’s cow) was completely made up by a reporter. No proof. No investigation. Just a gripping headline.
 
And it stuck.
 
Why?
Because it was vivid, simple, and emotionally charged.
 
It gave the public someone to blame.
It fit a narrative.
And it spread like… well… wildfire.
 
---
 
That’s why your business story matters.
Because the first story wins, especially if it triggers emotion.
 
If you don’t shape it intentionally, someone else will, and it may not be the truth.
 
In today’s hyper-distracted world, attention goes to the most relatable, memorable, and shareable story, not necessarily the best product or service.
 
And yes, one story can define a brand, a culture, even a movement.
 
---
 
📘 That’s the premise of my new book, The StoryBank, which launched a couple of weeks ago. 
 
I wrote it for leaders who want to:
 
-Shape company culture

-Use storytelling to increase sales
 
-Deliver public speaking that moves people to action
 
---
 
The Great Chicago Fire is tragic history.
But it’s also a masterclass in how stories stick, for better or worse.
 
Don’t let a false narrative define your business.
Own your story. Tell it well.