Empower yourself as a leader through storytelling
by Ana Paula Kiyama
Communicating effectively is critical to exercising good leadership. At Level Up, we believe that one of the most powerful tools a leader has at his fingertips to communicate better is storytelling – or storytelling.
Stories are powerful, they have the ability to inspire, motivate and unite teams and people. A storytelling is capable of hooking others and will allow others to better understand what we mean and we will also leave a mark on them.
Why is storytelling important in leadership?
connect
We are human beings who require relationships and social connections. By telling inherently human stories, our emotions and experiences create a sense of connection between the narrator and the audience. When a leader shares his story, he is no longer an authority and someone with a command position, but allows for a relationship and trust, a feeling of identification.
simplify
Complex ideas or abstract concepts can be difficult to communicate and understand by our teams. Storytelling allows us to simplify them, making them more accessible and understandable, since the narrator can illustrate his vision, values and objectives.
Inspire
Your stories can inspire action and lead to change. If you share narratives of success, resilience, persistence, overcoming challenges and/or personal and professional growth, your team can feel influenced and will be able to strive and seek to persevere.
How can I make an effective storytelling?
Be authentic
Share your experiences and genuine emotions, those that inspire and create ties with others by building trust. Don’t exaggerate or make details, stick to what really happened and look for credibility.
Meet your audience
Analyze the needs, interests, emotions and concerns of your audience and, based on it, adapt your story to something that resonates with your team. Take the context into account and choose what best aligns with the challenges or goals.
Get ready
Make sure your story has a structure (beginning, middle and end). It begins with an unforgettable introduction and concludes with a strong final message that reinforces your message. Use emotion to create impact and make it memorable.
Highlight your message
Always remember that your central message is transmitted. You must emphasize and be clear throughout history. In the end, always reiterate your central idea and the key learning of your narration.
Communication is very important to be a good leader, and to have a better impact and for our message to reach audiences, narration or storytelling is a powerful tool that empowers the leader.
At Level Up, we invite you to transcend traditional and flat communication, creating a connection and relationship with your teams and with others. With your narratives you can inspire, motivate and guide your team towards a shared vision and greater success.
Remember…
Every leader has a story to tell: make yours memorable
