Q: We live in a small town, and we're concerned about privacy issues surrounding our Essential Stories—we feel that in some cases, these stories might reveal too much about the subject, and people will be able to tell who the story is about. How can we avoid this?

Glen in Colorado

A: If the story is truly too revealing, you should consider using a different story. However, there are ways to preserve your clients' privacy while still telling a compelling Essential Story^™. You can change names and distinguishing details, or make your Essential Story a composite of several stories. Your Essential Story doesn't have to be a literal retelling of one client's experiences, but rather should convey the work your organization provides in general to all clients, and the impact that work has on their lives. Finally, you should obtain permission from those people whose stories you use—if they themselves don't feel comfortable with their story being told, you should look elsewhere for your Essential Story.