Use words to trigger stories and connections. Increase awareness of how words can be used to index stories. Encourage associations and linkages between people and ideas. Incorporate this activity into employee orientation and board of directors’ initiation programs. I’ve videotaped senior leaders of the organization sharing their key words and stories. It also makes a great follow-up discussion to ask people to describe the new role they are assuming and how they see themselves supporting the organization’s mission through it. Make these stories available on Intranet site. Be sure to give people the ability to add their comments or stories. Do this activity every year as the open part of an organization’s strategic planning meeting. Use this activity during marketing focus groups conducted with external customers.