Find Your Story as a Leader
What’s your story as a leader? What do you want it to be? Your brain thinks about who you are and who you can be as a story. This story isn’t one that you necessarily tell—it’s one that you know, feel, experience, and live each and every time you engage yourself and others along your leadership journey.
In my research and experience coaching some of the most amazing leaders on the planet, I’ve seen that you can have your story written for you as life happens to you. Or you can find your story and bring your best story to life.
Just like a superhero.
Here is an exercise I use with my clients. It will help you see who you are and where you’re going as a leader so you can get there in a style that feels powerful and authentic to you.
Find your story as a leader.
Step 1: Deconstruct your story
Your story is comprised of these key elements. You typically conflate them all jumbling mess that fuels (I’m a strategic thinker!) or depletes (I can’t do details) you. Now is your chance to break it all apart, untangle that tapeworm,* and see your story for what it is: a story…probably made up of lots of little stories.
Who are you? Write down a bit about yourself. Who are you? What does your world look like? Feel like? Who are key characters in your story?
What are your goals? What do you want to accomplish as a leader? This goes at the end of the story arc (you want to meet your goals at the end of a story or it’s a cliffhanger or tragedy). But answer it now. It will anchor your story.
What is your call to action? Why are you motivated to reach your goals? What challenge or problem(s) in the world or in your industry do you want to solve?
Actions. What do you do? The answers are simple (think verbs). I lead a product team. I build tools that... Don’t spend too much time on this. The good stuff is to come.
What gets in your way? Now the fun begins. Every hero faces challenges. It makes stories better. What does or could get in your way? Kryptonite? Competition? Skills? Chores. Bores. Other people? Be honest. Dig deep. Go dark.
What are your superpowers? How do or might you overcome your obstacles, answer your call to action, and meet your goals? What skills, values, or superfriends do leverage? Your shortcomings...might they actually be your superpowers in disguise?
Outcomes. If not already covered, what outcomes do you want to have or impact do you want to make by meeting your goals? This can be internal (feelings, needs met) or external (so that...).
* EM Forster uses a “tapeworm” metaphor for how stories work in literature. They operate exactly the same in your brain according to neuroscientists and psychologists.
Step 2: Reconstruct your story
Draw your story out on paper freestyle or using my free worksheet and template.
Find your story as a leader.
Step 3: Reflect
What stands out to you? Is your story clear? Complete? Fact? Fiction? A cliffhanger? Anti-climactic? Too dramatic? Is it what you want it to be? What surprises you? What delights you? Disappoints? What gaps do you see? Threats? Opportunities?
What do you want to keep? Change? Add? Develop? What else?
Step 4: Realize your story
What are your action items and next steps? These can be questions you want to answer, skills you want to learn, or things you want to do in order to test, validate, improve, and ultimately bring your best story to life.
