Using Stories to Create Exceptional Performance

As a leader, your role is to remove obstacles and help your team members rise to higher levels of performance. Sometimes that obstacle is not physical, but mental.

Most employees want to do an amazing job and be proud of their work. But a company culture with a lack of inspiring stories usually has employees stick to formulated manuals that require them to perform to strict guidelines. The overall performance becomes blandly consistent, boring and undifferentiated for customers. Only with inspiration, permission, and encouragement will employees bring their personal touch and creativity to wow customers.

“Most employees want to do an amazing job and be proud of their work. But a culture without inspiring stories becomes blandly consistent, boring, and undifferentiated," writes Lior Arussy, Author of "DARE TO AUTHOR!".

Arussy recounts personal experiences, including a high-stakes client issue that tested his company's values. By standing by a consultant despite client dissatisfaction, Arussy emphasized that organizational values must guide actions, even under pressure. He argues that leaders have a critical role in “authoring” stories that foster a culture of trust and inspiration, creating an environment where employees feel empowered to perform at their best.

Here are some takeaways:

• Stories Drive Performance Beyond Manuals – While manuals define processes, stories bring them to life, giving employees a narrative they can connect with, motivating them to perform beyond expectations.
• Storytelling Reinforces Core Values – Memorable stories like Southwest Airlines’ “Malice in Dallas” arm-wrestling event remind employees of what the company stands for in ways corporate memos cannot.
• Leaders are the Curators of Culture – Leaders must actively shape and share stories to define the company's culture, especially during key decision moments that reflect company values.

Lior Arussy is the Author of "DARE TO AUTHOR!".

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