What's Your Story?
Lara Koretsky
Supporting leaders to rediscover purpose, elevate performance & step into their capabilities I Executive Coach I Facilitator I Speaker & Culture Catalyst
What's your story? That’s such a loaded question. I have many stories and narrowing it down to just one is not easy. Recently I created my website and it was amazing how challenging it was for me to capture my voice and tell my story. Having been in HR for several years, I know we often ask this question as a starting point and people often respond by telling us their work history. This leads me to the point that we are so much more than just one role. We can be coaches and leaders, engineers and teachers, mothers and daughters, sisters and friends, chefs and chauffeurs. And like the various roles we play, we have a multitude of stories that go with them.?So how do we narrow it down when someone asks, "what’s your story", and what is important about knowing it??
Think of the most powerful moments in your life.?They could be joyous and pivotal, like your first day at a memorable job or getting your driver's license.?They could be poignant, like holding a child in your arms or telling someone you love them. They could be crushing, like losing a loved one or being fired from a job. How did these moments shape who you are today??What did you learn??How did they reinforce what matters most in your life?
Your story is comprised of all of these stories.?It speaks to your relationships and your career, your triumphs, and your losses. It defines what is important to you, your values, and what you need to live a fulfilled life. Knowing your story is a powerful reminder of who you are and how you show up every day.?Let it guide you to be the leader you have within you.?And the best part about all of this...your story is only half-written and you get to create the rest.??
Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant, Facilitator
3 年Love this. What a thoughtful and reflective post, Lara. As you say, 'knowing your story is a powerful reminder of who you are and how you show up every day' -- we are shaped not only by our experiences, but also by the choices we make.
The Teamwork Doctor. Helping people achieve amazing things together. Advising CEOs. Facilitating strategy and team effectiveness. Sharing broadly as a best-selling author, YouTube host, and keynote speaker.
3 年I love this question. When I tell my story, I always start with how I failed calculus in first year university. I’m proud of myself for taking it again (and getting a B) in second year. And I like that failing calculus sent me in an entirely different direction that has worked out great!!!
Thanks for this Lara Koretsky. We are a collection of many stories. In fact in leadership programs I often have leaders timeline their various stories to see how they have shaped them and what the defining moments are, as you described in your article. How would you recommend we rephrase that interview question?