“I would say a good leader brings results. A great leader writes a new story, it’s different. Obviously a new story has to incorporate a lot of results. But a story is a chapter in the life of a company that people want to write and want to remember.” ~ Carlos Ghosn

As leaders, when we weave personal stories of our leadership journey with our authentic voice we build connections and deepen trust and relationships. Our leadership and life stories hold promise and power. Executive coach Jim Laughlin, suggests that the power in these stories is "their ability to create powerful personal connections, to build trust, to reveal our character and our dreams and intentions, to draw others to our causes and endeavors”. When we tell our story we show vulnerability and openness and we create community and connection. We also give other people permission to be real and vulnerable and to show up fully as well.
Research further suggests there are also some specific types of stories leaders tell to create impact. According to a 2015 Forbes article by David Sturt, great leaders tell four kinds of stories; founding story, pivotal story, teamwork story and great work story. The founding story is a company’s beginning or brand - what they stand for and creates motivation and engagement. The pivotal story tells the story of an event or events and how the organization managed to change and transform, learn and come through the other side. Teamwork stories are just that, stories of phenomenal ways a team came together and the power of synergy and the outcome. Lastly, the great work story is about recognizing individuals whose achievement or performance deserves recognition and elevation – and in the telling elevating everyone who hears it. You may not have recognized them by these names but these stories are all around you and are waiting for you to use them with intention and impact.
Stories, no matter how you label them, are a pivotal leadership competency. We in the US are living in a time where our basic material needs are generally met and our employees are looking for more than a paycheck – they are looking for belonging, significance and contribution. As I shared in a previous post, as leaders one of our most significant roles is the role of meaning maker for the people in our organization. According to Daniel Pink, “The only thing that will really motivate people is that which gives them deep meaning and purpose in their jobs and their lives in general.” What are the stories we can tell as leaders that connect our people to the soul and meaning of our work?
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