Chris reflects on the power of storytelling and how you can use it to truly resonate.
How we tell our stories is something we often overlook as leaders. I recently had the chance to delve into this alongside David and Justine when we ran an awayday with one of our partners, all about storytelling. I took the opportunity to share my story with them, weaving in many of the same ideas. What struck me wasn’t just how people responded, but how deeply they felt what was being shared.
It reinforced something we’ve come to believe: Storytelling is more than a ‘nice-to-have’ leadership skill, but rather, it’s essential. We often think leadership is about clarity, direction and decisions, which it is. But none of that lands unless people connect with what you’re saying. After all, facts inform us, but stories move us.
Here are a few insights that really stood out to me:
- People don’t follow ideas, they follow meaning
You can present the best strategy in the world, but if it doesn’t mean something to people, it won’t stick. Stories give context and answer the often unspoken question, “Why should this matter to me?” - Vulnerability builds credibility faster than perfection
In the workshop, the moments that resonated most weren’t the polished, perfect narratives. They were the honest ones. The uncertain ones. The real ones. As leaders, we often feel pressure to have all the answers, but people trust us more when we show them the journey, not just the outcome. - A good story creates space, not just direction
When you tell a story well, you’re not forcing a message, you’re inviting interpretation. People see themselves in it and they draw their own meaning. That’s far more powerful than telling them exactly what to think. - Timing matters as much as content
This is something I’ve personally experienced again and again. The best stories that land and resonate aren’t rushed. They’re shaped and refined through reflection. Much like ideas, stories need space before they’re ready to be shared.
Maybe that’s the biggest takeaway for me. Storytelling isn’t about performance, it’s about presence. It’s about being intentional with what you share, why you shared it and how it might impact someone else. Whether it’s in a workshop, on a stage, or in a one-to-one conversation, every story is an opportunity to connect, lead and leave something meaningful behind.
So, I’ve been asking myself a simple question, am I just communicating… or am I connecting? Because in the end, just like one of our favourite quotes from Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” People might forget the exact words of your story, but they’ll remember how your story made them feel.
What was the last story that resonated with you?