How to lead using stories that others want to be part of

As a leader, one of the most powerful ways you can communicate is through stories.

Stories offer you a powerful way of communicating, because they help your audience imagine something different to their current reality.

JJ Peterson was curious about the effect that stories have on us. His research found that when we hear a good story, our rational, critical mind switches off. As we get swept up in the narrative of a good story, we identify with the hero, and feel their pain. We hate their adversaries, and yearn for them to succeed.?

So how do stories relate to leadership? Let’s start with the role of a leader. Leaders are responsible for creating a future that others want to be part of.

Leaders are responsible for creating a future that others want to be part of

Creating a different future starts with imagining a different future. Most people have a picture of what the future looks like, and struggle to imagine an alternative. If leadership is about creating the future, the first step is to have other people listen to you.?

The first step to having others follow you (leadership) is having other people listen to you.

The most effective way to have people listen to you is to tell them a story

Telling a good story requires an understanding of two key characters: the hero and the mentor.

The hero is the person with a challenge. No hero can overcome their challenge alone – they need the help of a mentor. The hero is the centre of the story. The mentor is just the person that guides them.?

Getting these roles right is crucial to telling a story that other people want to follow.

Powerful leaders make their audience the hero

If you tell a story that’s about your struggle, you make yourself the hero – you’re saying that you have the problem. If you’re telling a story that you want someone to be part of, make them the hero.

Stories are one of the most powerful forms of communication that you have. Don't make the mistake of creating a story that’s all about you. Speak to the challenges and concerns of others, and offer them an alternative that’s bigger than you; bigger than the future they can see or imagine. That's how to tell a story, and to be a leader that other people want to follow.