Storytelling helps create a triple win for all three leadership skills of empathy, authenticity and self-awareness. A recent HBR article “Storytelling That Drives Bold Change” describes how storytelling creates organizational momentum.
So too, your personal stories that describe how you have worked through tough times and climbed out the other side, can be deeply connecting.
Here are 4 steps to creating personal short stories. Create your stories with the intention of encouraging others, not of highlighting your own success.
1. What was it like at the beginning? “When I got this job, I was scared of messing up the new relationships I had with clients.”
2. What did you go through? “I don’t think I slept for two weeks.”
3. How did you dig out? “Then one day I lost an account. Nothing terrible happened. Nobody canned me, they were super supportive.”
4. How does this relate to others, right now? “So with all these changes, some of you might be feeling that way too. I learned that the fear of blowing it was worse than actually blowing it. So do your best, be careful but if it goes down, we talk about it and move on.”
Tell your own story. A few years ago, I watched CEO Warner Thomas, formerly of Ochsner Health System and currently of Sutter Health sit on a bar stool describing to his people the personal challenges he’d had, and how he’d worked them through. His intention from the stage was clear, real, honest and vulnerable.
Warner is not only well-loved, but inspires courage in others.
Vulnerability is the new courage.
