Bragging is unattractive and elevator speeches often lead others to look over your shoulder. So, how do you build your reputation in ways that engage others? After two years, I vividly recall a senior executive, Chris, who captivated 200 people and left us all with lasting admiration for his leadership. What did he do?
Prepare Your Leadership Challenge Stories
Rather than sharing business facts, insights or visions, Chris spent 45 minutes telling stories. Glued to hearing poignant personal examples of how he handled tough career and business challenges, he taught us valuable ways we too could build our own leadership success. We left admiring his principled, creative and effective leadership and wanted more.
Design Three Distinctive Stories of Your Own
Below are three templates you can use to create stories that will teach and inspire others as they also build your credibility. Take fifteen minutes, identify an interesting leadership challenge you met that highlights valuable leadership practices, and draft your experiences so you can tell them in under 30 seconds.
- The new value you/your team created.
Complete the template:We (team, client, community) initially couldn’t imagine how we could (name the daunting challenge, mess, risk or opportunity,) but we discovered that by (name the two most important leadership attitudes, abilities or actions you used,) we achieved (name the two most significant benefits key stakeholders received, not all the steps required.) - How you brought out others’ best in challenging situations. Complete the template:We were (add adjectives e.g., confused, overwhelmed, ready to give up) as we faced (vividly describe the tough situation,) but by (describe the 2 practical, repeatable, valuable actions you took as a leader that equipped others to surpass their expectations,) we mobilized to tackle it and we (name specific changes, outcome, or value others created.)
- How you modeled important leadership values. Complete the template:When we realized (name the messy challenge), it was tempting to (name unhelpful attitudes or actions many might have chosen.) Instead, I (describe the highroad leadership attitudes and actions you chose) and was so happy that (name a person, team or client and the benefits they derived.)
The next time you talk with your superiors, lead a team meeting or give a presentation, tell one of your personal stories. Your stories help others relate to you and remember value you can add.
If each element is compelling and others have time, they will ask to hear more details. If they don’t ask, they will still remember a positive experience with you.
Encourage Others to Retell Your Stories
Everyone tells stories, but what makes yours memorable and worthy of retelling?
- Tell true stories that describe a significant struggle, discovery and victory that matters to your listeners. Share the thoughts and actions that will help others succeed in similar situations.
- Start with a short hook or headline that draws others to want to hear more of your story. What newspaper headline would engage people to want to read more details?
- Assure your story teaches specific practical ideas others can use. Stakeholders will want to share your story when retelling it adds to their credibility and value, too.
- Craft the drama of your story (challenge, struggle and discovery followed by the victorious outcome) and disclose two lessons learned that will help others succeed. Focusing on the victory and lessons as lead elements puts your strengths (what you did to deliver) as supporting elements that inspire and teach. They don’t grab the spotlight as arrogant or self serving.
- Share stories strategically. Tell key stakeholders most likely to advocate for you so they can re-tell your story to people you can’t reach. Proactively ask your advocates to tell others who have an outdated or inaccurate picture of you. Their word can impact others more than your direct efforts.
What’s Next
Your influence depends so much on the stories others tell about you. Learn what they say and understand why. Design and tell stories so others can and want to retell them. Your reputation and the strength of your network depend on it. Stories will be told about you…assure they are the ones you want.
If you or leaders you mentor want to enhance your credibility and contributions as leaders, I can help you to identify, design and deliver stories that build your reputation. Contact me to explore your situation, needs and options for creating new success through stories.
Comments:
If you have additional ideas for creating and using stories to advance your credibility and will write to me at mkimbell@corporateadventure.com, I’ll share them with others in the future. If you want to share an example of powerful storytelling, I’d love to hear and, with your permission, will pass your story along, too.
Please share this blog with anyone who can benefit from it.
All the best,
Meredith Kimbell
President, Corporate Adventure®
Executive Advisor, Strategy Consultant, Leadership Energizer
KE Photography, Kari Elliot Photographer
Leadership Coaching Notes uses real or composite client examples drawn from 30 years of coaching and consulting with leaders committed to improve performance by solving their toughest personal, interpersonal and organizational issues.
Unless otherwise attributed, all material is copyrighted by Meredith Kimbell © 2013. All rights reserved. You may reprint any or all of this material if you include the following: “Leadership Coaching Notes” © 2013 Meredith Kimbell, Corporate Adventure®, Reston, VA. Used with permission.”
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