EP84: The Human Side of Leadership: The Impact of Our Stories
THE STORY THAT SHAPES YOU
Your story is part of your whole person…it’s worth honoring and leveraging in your leadership!
Enjoy!
Listen Here:
(The notes below are only a brief summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
People’s stories inspire me so much. They always have. Honoring story is even one of my core values and fuels how I approach my coaching work. There were two recent events where I have been so moved by someone’s telling of their story – that it prompted me to do this episode. I did a similar topic way back in Episode 5 (The Magic of Your [Leadership] Story). In that episode – I talked about how your life story has contributed to shaping the leader you are and gave some prompts to help you uncover your own story.
For this episode – I wasn’t quite sure how to frame this topic and relate it to leadership and entrepreneurship. I’m still not sure if I’ve hit the mark – but here is where I’ve landed:
Relationships = Humans
At the core of leadership are relationships. What it does it take to have a relationship? Humans. And humans are complex and unique – including the fact that we all have our own life stories. Our stories are made up of our experiences, pivotal and formative moments, our beliefs, and personalities.
When it comes to the work we do and the professions we choose – we are so much more than an employee number or a person who helps generate revenue. We are more than a ‘liability’ on the P&L statement.
As leaders and entrepreneurs – we certainly have a lot on our plates. But people sit at the core of what we do. It is people we are leading. It is people that we are relying on to help us do the work, create results, generate income, buy our services or products and have meaningful conversations with.
When we can see ourselves and others as a whole person – a person with a story – our relationships are stronger.
The people we are, the people we interact with, the people we rely on – they are, we are, everything.
So, as a leader or entrepreneur – the people – yourself included - should be where the majority of your attention goes.
I said that there were a couple recent events that just struck me. One was at a wedding I was at last weekend. I actually didn’t know the couple (it was a co-worker of my husband’s). It was an amazing wedding. One of my favorite parts are the speeches/toasts. When the dad’s of both the bride and groom gave their speeches - we got to hear their stories. I went from not really knowing anything about them to knowing something about their life story through the eyes of their father. I immediately felt a connection. That is the power of the human story.
Our stories should not be discounted. We can easily poo poo our lives just as "no big deal'- yet we can look at someone else's and find it to be awe-inspiring. I actually see this in coaching quite a bit. When we do that – we also might fall into the comparison trap, or the “I’m not good enough” spiral. Or – what I’ve been known to do is indulge in, what I call, the pedestal effect. You know – when you look at someone else and put them on a pedestal. I always have the visual of the pedestal being high – which naturally keeps me lower. And there is that hidden meaning when someone is higher than you…better than you. Maybe none of this resonates with you . But I think that can happen when we hear about all of the accomplishments someone has. But when you really get into the story – you see that the person is just a human too – no different than you and me – and have struggles and failures and have taken risks that didn’t pan out…alongside the accomplishments. That is the beauty of our stories!
The Story of Walt Disney
Here’s another example of a story that inspires me.
As you might know - I am a big Disney fan (all things Disney!). In particular, I have been inspired by Walt Disney himself. My adoration for Walt started some time in my 20's. I'm not sure I can pinpoint it, but I'm guessing it was around my time in Disney's college program back in 1994. When you become a Cast Member - you attend an experience called “Traditions”. It’s basically like an orientation. You learn all about the company and it’s origin. Your learn the story of Walt Disney.
Walt’s has a life story - just like all of us. It's that story, the things that took place in his life, that shaped him, his choices, his failures and successes. The same is true for all of us. People like Walt have books written about him, and films about him, and people give accounts about who he was. You can truly even follow the footsteps of his life and learn so much. We may not all have that kind of fame – but don’t think for a minute that your story isn’t as impactful. I’m sure Walt didn’t think about that being his life when he was a kid or even when he was just starting his studio. But what he didn’t do – as far as I can tell – is NOT believe. He didn’t stop pursuing what he felt was right for him. He didn’t say “I can never be like them”. He built on his formative moments. He dreamed big and he took action – failure and all. And he continually honored his story.
What Sharing Your Story Can Mean in Leadership
Here are some of the amazing things that can happen when you honor and share your story in your leadership (and also get curious about others):
Cultivates Authenticity and Relatability: Sharing your life story can help you connect with others on a more personal level. It actually normalizes humanity a bit. When people see the human side of their leaders, it makes you more relatable and approachable. This authenticity can build trust and rapport, fostering a sense of camaraderie within the team. And when you know the stories of others – you also see them as a whole human.
Evokes Inspirational Motivation: Your life story can serve as a source of inspiration for others. By sharing challenges you've overcome, lessons you've learned, and goals you've achieved, you can provide real-world examples of how determination and resilience can lead to success. This can motivate your team to tackle their own challenges with a positive mindset.
Aides in Building a Vision: A compelling life story can contribute to the creation of a shared vision. When you share your experiences, values, and aspirations, you help others understand the core principles that guide your leadership. This shared vision can align your team's efforts and encourage them to work toward common goals.
Fosters Emotional Connection: Sharing personal stories can evoke emotions that resonate with your team members. Emotions have a powerful impact on decision-making and motivation. When people feel emotionally connected to their leader, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to the team's objectives.
Serves as a Catalyst for Openness: Sharing your life story can set a precedent for open communication and vulnerability. When you open up about your own experiences, it encourages others to do the same. This can create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and challenges. It creates a psychologically safe environment.
Opens Up Compassion: Personal stories can provide context for your leadership style and decision-making. If conflicts arise, team members might better understand your perspective and intentions, facilitating smoother conflict resolution and preventing misunderstandings.
Minimizes Comparison: When we can see each other as humans and have compassion for each other, we may spend less time comparing ourselves (and using that as a reason to stop progressing) and more time working toward our goals.
Serves as a Gateway to Valuing and Understanding Differences: Sharing aspects of your life story can help you appreciate and understand the diverse backgrounds of your team members. It can also encourage others to share their own stories, fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment.
Remember, while sharing your life story can be powerful, it's important to strike a balance. Be selective about the details you share and consider the context and appropriateness of the information for the professional setting. The goal is to create meaningful connections and inspire your team, while still maintaining a level of professionalism and leadership.
All stories matter. They not only shape who we are, they can act as fuel for the chapters that are yet to be written.
What do you think?
Whose story do you draw inspiration from?
Do you see how your story has shaped you and your leadership?
Links
Episode 5: The Magic of Your [Leadership] Story
Please leave a review in Apple Podcasts + share with a friend
It will help others find the podcast - the more leaders we can impact - the better our workplaces and lives will be!
Schedule a FREE Discovery Call
Click here to schedule some time - let’s talk about how we can work together through one-on-one coaching, Insights Discovery workshops or other leadership development work!