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"The Power of Leadership Storytelling"
By: Melissa Delin

Leadership development, at its core, is about creating changes in thinking and behavior. Outstanding leaders are capable of affecting great change at all levels: in themselves, in the people they manage, in the teams they direct, in the business units they run, and in the organizations of which they are a part. All managers are capable of becoming great leaders; however, the growing process does not come naturally to everyone. Leadership is a blend of instincts, skills, and choices, some of which are innate, others of which are acquired. Often, a manager's natural leadership qualities reveal themselves in times of crisis, when the stakes are high and seemingly impossible things are achieved. For leadership development professionals, the ultimate challenge is to bottle that experience in order to find a way to inspire managers to that level of commitment and passion in their daily management tasks, as well as infect others with their enthusiasm.

Executive storytelling is a powerful medium for recognizing and cultivating leadership potential. Growing in popularity, leadership stories are based on a simple, compelling principle: role models. Children are often encouraged to seek role models so that they can build confidence and adopt positive values; adults too are moved by stories of human greatness. During a leadership development experience, connecting such stories to everyday work challenges can result in profound transformation. In the Summer 2002 issue of Sloan Management Review, Douglas Reddy proclaims that, "executive storytelling initiatives outperformed many other [leadership] methodologies."

For a leadership story to have the desired effect, it must meet a certain level of criteria. It must be engaging and memorable. It will usually involve a measure of drama but must also be human, authentic, and easy to identify with. The story must set up the unambiguous challenge, explore the actions of the protagonist, and connect the protagonist's behavior to a clear outcome. Truly great leadership stories share applicable lessons, prompt internal reflection, and instigate debate among listeners. While it is a highly effective vehicle for inspiring leadership in others, leadership storytelling is not without risk. Stories may be rejected by some if the circumstances are perceived as extraordinary or if the protagonist is perceived to be a "hero," someone whose capabilities are beyond typical human reach. To combat resistance, it is incumbent on the storyteller to ensure that the leadership lessons, not the specific conditions, are the focus of the story.