Ever feel like your audience isn’t “getting” your story? You are not alone. This week, we unpack the classic The Blind Men and the Elephant parable, a powerful reminder that people will always try to make sense of your story based on the limited parts they see. It’s your job as a founder to control the narrative before assumptions take over. 

Inside you’ll:

• Learn 3 storytelling lessons to help you shape and own your story
• Discover the Science behind why audiences fill in the blanks (70% of the time)
• See how Sealy positions itself as a more than just a mattress

Enjoy feeling around this elephant tale...LG

The Founder Parable: The Story of the Blind Men and the Elephant

A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form. 

Out of curiosity, they said: "We must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable". 

So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it. 

The first blind man put out his hand and touched the side of the elephant. 

“How smooth! An elephant is like a wall.” 

The second blind man put out his hand and touched the trunk of the elephant. 

“How round! An elephant is like a snake.” 

The third blind man put out his hand and touched the tusk of the elephant. 

“How sharp! An elephant is like a spear.” 

The sixth blind man put out his hand and touched the tail of the elephant. 

“How thin! An elephant is like a rope.”An argument ensued, each blind man thinking his own perception of the elephant was the correct one. 

The village leader, awakened by the commotion, called out from the balcony. 

“The elephant is a big animal,” he said. “Each man touched only one part. You must put all the parts together to find out what an elephant is like.”

Enlightened by the Rajah’s wisdom, the blind men reached agreement. 

“Each one of us knows only a part. To find out the whole truth we must put all the parts together.”

Founders often assume that their story is crystal clear, when in reality, their audience is only grasping bits and pieces. This ancient Buddhist parable mirrors what happens when we fail to connect the dots for our listeners. 

Storytelling Lessons: Shape Your Story

The parable of The Blind Men and the Elephant reminds us that people often misunderstand the whole when they only see a part. If you don’t guide them to the full picture, they’ll create one on their own, and it likely won’t match the vision you’re building.

Here are 3 storytelling lessons founders can take from this parable to shape your messaging with clarity and power.

1. Shape Your Story or Others Will Shape It for You

   Each blind man brought his own interpretation to the elephant, and each was wrong, and partly right. The same thing happens when you leave your story up to your audience’s assumptions. If you don’t clearly frame the “what, why, and how” of your venture from the start, they’ll define it for you… and you might not like their version.

   
   When you share your story, open strong with a bold defining statement. Clearly articulate your mission, your “why now,” and who you’re serving in the first 30 seconds of any pitch or post.

2. Zoom Out and Paint the Whole Elephant

   The argument in the parable happened because no one saw the full picture. As a founder, you may feel tempted to focus your story on a single angle, your product, your traction, or your origin story. But those are just pieces. Your audience needs to understand the larger mission that ties them all together.

   
   Think big picture for you pitch. Ask yourself, “What’s the elephant in my story?” Craft a clear through-line that connects every part of your narrative to your larger vision.

   
   

3. Bring in the Other Voices

   In the parable, truth only emerged when all the perspectives were brought together. In your storytelling, be the curator who weaves it all together. Show how your customers, team, partners, and critics shaped your journey. It adds credibility, relatability, and depth.

   
   Weave in quotes, feedback, or case studies from others. Let your story be a shared story by having stakeholders see themselves in it, and watch how your audience leans in.

Fun Fact: Protect the Gaps

Our brains are wired to fill in the gaps when we don’t have the full picture. In fact, research shows that up to 70% of human decisions are influenced by cognitive biases (Juárez Ramos, 2018).

These mental shortcuts can lead to snap judgments or wrong assumptions—unless someone (like a great founder) tells a clear, compelling story to guide our thinking.

That’s why you can’t leave your narrative to chance—**if you don’t shape the story, your audience will shape it for you.

Video to Watch: Going to the Mattresses

Sealy takes control of the narrative in their Brand Anthem video by Hook Creative, elevating the brand beyond just mattresses to a story of craftsmanship, care, and legacy. This behind-the-scenes look highlights the real people, attention to detail, and American-made quality that make Sealy stand apart in a crowded market. A promise built by experts who’ve perfected the craft since 1881 that helps position the company in a premium category (and pricing).

Storytelling for Entrepreneurs Issue #031 - If You Don’t Control the Story, They’ll Make One Up


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