There is an unseen effort in capturing a sunrise picture from the top of a mountain. It takes some planning, commitment to getting up when the alarm sounds, and ascending in darkness. The image may have a wow factor, but the story behind the picture is often more remarkable.

I saw images from a photo contest surrounding the eclipse this past August. The majority of the finalists were photos taken from unique vantage points and of compelling subject matter. The photographers did a lot of unseen work. Anyone in the zone of totality could click a picture of the sky. What made these pictures more engaging was the story behind each image.

Are we taking the time to share the stories that go along with our events or do we just hope the final result will wow our audience? In the strategic planning engagements, I facilitate, the narrative that supports the written plan is the far more compelling product. Telling the story about the unseen work may be the most engaging part of the process.