Leadership is Telling the Next Part of the Story Well

Leadership is telling the next part of the story well.

It is not necessarily knowing the ultimate end of the story, and it is not reworking the story that has already been told by others. It is moving the story forward by getting other people each to tell their own part.

Leadership contributes by creating opportunities for everyone to contribute. Leadership gets to listen as each person helps tell the whole story.

Each person can add something that helps the story grow and develop. Each person brings something unique that makes a difference. Leadership provides the spark and includes each person in the circle.

Leadership ensures that the next part of the story, the part we are telling right now, fits with how the story has developed so far. Leadership does not let the story move on too quickly, and leadership does not let the story get bogged down. Leadership does not let the story get lost, head off on a tangent, or get tangled in itself.

Leadership is telling the next part of the story well.

Telling a story is a dynamic, creative process. It is challenging to be a good storyteller, and very challenging to get each person to tell their own part of the story well.

We are motivated by stories that fit together and that are true to life. Stories help us make sense of other people, the world around us, and ourselves.

Leadership is telling the next part of the story well.

We tell ourselves stories, and we tell our stories to other people. Leaders help bring out the best storytelling in the people they lead.

What are your stories?

What are the parts of the story that you can tell?

How do you help other people tell their stories?

[Image by Stacirl]