Storytelling for Leaders

Business storytelling expert Annette Simmons shares insights into how using stories can improve your leadership.

Key takeaways: storytelling for leaders

• Stories help overcome conflict. Clashes happen when people have different points of view. Stories bridge the divide of our separate understandings and foster empathy.
• Stories map the mental terrain. It's not about convincing others or coercing people. Stories help us to see the bigger picture and make us more likely to reach consensus.
• Storytelling is best improved with others. Ask a friendly listener to hear your story and give you three appreciations.
• Stories should be brief and colourful. Appeal to the senses to make stories stick and keep them as short as possible.

Let's act: improve your storytelling

A simple story to have in your arsenal is a "Who am I?" story. These stories tell people who you are and what you're about, building trust and empathy.

So make this commitment:

• Write a "Who am I?" story.

How did you get to where you are? What qualities do you have that others will appreciate? Are you honest, funny, and reliable? Write a story that is a maximum of three minutes long and share it when you meet new people or need to build relationships.

Here are more Mindtools resources on storytelling for you to explore:

• Article: The Power of Storytelling in Crisis Leadership
• Exercise: This Is My Story
• Infographic: The Subtle Power of Business Storytelling
• Video: The Story of Business Storytelling