If you’ve been following along, you know I believe the most influential leaders are great storytellers, and they possess three powerful qualities (through their stories). They are real, relatable, and riveting.
I’ve been thinking about what it means to be “real,” and last week, I had a masterclass on what it means to be not real, and because I think it’s useful, I’ll tell you all about it!
I attended a community meeting where a developer presented plans for a large upcoming project. The project was approved and moving forward so this was really just for our information. Local residents, as you can imagine, arrived curious as to what these outsiders had planned for their town. Let’s just say the presenter had his work cut out for him.
The presenter arrived with a slide deck and talking points:
“We want to be a good member of the community” and
“We give back to the community.”
But at no time did she give any substance to how they planned to do that, what it meant, or how they’ve done it in the past.
You know that feeling when you’ve ordered the crab, and it’s actually Krab? Or when your sandwich comes with American cheese, not cheddar cheese?
This meeting was like being served imitation seafood. It had all the appearance of substance with none of the flavor.
Stories are the substance (with flavor). They are the evidence that you mean what you say.
Our audience is smarter than most of us give them credit for, and they know when we are being real and when we are being disingenuous.
Let’s give them the respect they deserve.
What does it mean to be real?
Being real means being clear, credible, and transparent. It’s about saying what you mean and avoiding language that is misleading, full of jargon, or buzzwords.
Being real also means you ground your stories in evidence. Stories of what you’ve done or plan to do are proof that you mean what you say.
Without stories, you will not win the room over. I observed that in this meeting. I could feel the skepticism in the air! It felt like an oppressive humidity mixed with a tinge of cringe because the person at the front of the room was largely unaware. They were given talking points, and they used them.
Without a story, you will struggle to get people on board.
This bears an interesting question: What if the real you is a jerk? I’m thinking of Tony Hayward during the BP oil spill disaster in 2010 when he said, “I want my life back.” No amount of good stories can compensate for bad intentions.
I invite you to consider
How your actions match the stories you tell. The greatest stories in the world can’t make up for shady behavior.
Use story to show what you tell. Don’t just tell me you’re a “community partner” – show me you are one.
Embrace the messy truth. Real leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being honest, even when it’s uncomfortable. Admit when you don’t have all the answers. Own your mistakes.
Thanks for reading. It’s been real. If I can support you and your team in your storytelling efforts, comment below, and let’s schedule a discovery call.
Take care out there.
SOME WAYS I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU AND YOUR TEAM:
LEAD YOUR WAY: This mentoring/coaching program is designed to help you step into your leadership and show up as your best self so you can communicate to connect and amplify your impact.
COMMUNICATE TO CONNECT: In my storytelling workshops, I teach leaders of all capabilities how to engage authentically with their teams, community, and stakeholders to create meaningful connections that build trust, increase team engagement and lead to better fundraising and revenue generation.
Did you have something else in mind? Let’s talk and see how I might be able to help. Contact me and we’ll schedule a chat.
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