The Origins of our name Rule Six Consulting and Telling A Story
While the actual origins of our company name are mythical in nature, I want to share the actual inspiration. I was searching around for tips from respectable, successful people, and found two lists in particular that resonated:
One POV from Bill Gates, and one POV from an unlikely source in Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Say what you want about either side of the aisle here, it’s impossible to argue that both of those lists are from successful people.
If you compare the lists line-for-line, I was drawn to both Rule #6s, despite them being quite different.
Bill Gates’ Rule Six is:
Persevere: If you persevere long enough, you will be successful. This rule emphasizes the importance of continuing to work towards your goal, even when progress is slow or obstacles arise.
Certainly this will resonate with anyone who has ever tried to start up a business. This is easily one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, bar none. It takes relentless focus and attention to large and small details. It takes failing fast and learning more than you thought you needed to learn.
It’s a long road, and perseverance is paramount.

Arnold’s Rule Six of success is:
Give back: Use your success and influence to make a positive impact in the world and help others.
Possibly ironic that the philanthropic rule comes not from Gates, but it still certainly applies. From coaching a little league outing, helping staff or organize a fund raiser, to donating money to Ukraine or the people in Gaza, there are lots of ways to help others.
I even suggested in an article I wrote that you can get back more than you give in the first place.
Writing is certainly one way I’m trying to help others.

Storytelling
But the real genesis of the name comes from Storytelling.
In the world of storytelling and screenwriting, there is a popular concept known as “Rule of Six” or the “Sixth Sense Rule”. This rule suggests that a well-crafted story should aim to surprise or reveal a major twist to the audience by the end of the sixth scene or sixth episode. This twist can significantly impact the narrative and change the audience’s perspective on the events that have unfolded so far.
I think about the next chapter as my Sixth episode, and I like the shift implied in the narrative.
I’ve worked with some great role-model storytellers, and I learned some tricks and tips from each. There are countless manuals about how to tell the best stories, and good storytelling is one of the most important reasons that I enjoy well-crafted podcasts like Planet Money.

My story process in an ideal setting is pretty simple:
Understand the audience. Who am I talking to? What final message do I want to land as the takeaway?
Find a story (to convey that takeaway) that has personal meaning to me.
Figure out the chronology of the story; do we unwind the whole thing, or do we start at the end?
Where was the true meaning? How did the story actually change me or the way I think? Try to keep the takeaway in mind, build in your personal change, and then don’t make it only about you.
Rehearse to get it right, but maybe don’t script it out verbatim. Keep the conversation, despite it being unidirectional, light.
I am still learning how to tell better stories, and I hope to never be satisfied, as there’s always another twist, realization, or method to employ to keep the audience on their toes.
The Twist!
Okay, so there’s no twist here. Maybe that’s the twist?
Maybe our logo is the twist?
In searching randomly on the internet, I also found this gem from Benjamin Zander — which is worth investing a whopping 1:22 in to hear a good story — and suggests that Rule Number Six is:
Don’t take yourself so [gosh darn] seriously.
Turns out: I don’t. I merely wanted to convey where this goofy name came from and what it means to me.
Rule Six Consulting is here to stay!
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