Why Good Leaders Must Be Great Storytellers (and 5 Keys to Get There.)

The world is overwhelmed with information. In fact, statistics continue to grow on how fast we double our information out put every day. What the world needs is interpretation?

Wisdom is the right use of information to create a better life for others and yourself.

The question is, “To whom should we listen?” or really, “To whom do we listen?”

The truth is many of us know the right people in our lives to listen to. We know the one’s who probably will give us the best answers, but these are not always the people we listen to. We actually listen to whoever is telling the best story.

So, if you want people to listen to you, you will have to become a great storyteller.

Here are some ways to become a better storyteller:

1.    Open Your Eyes.

Stories happen every day all around you. The best storytellers are those who recognize the stories. They understand that wherever a problem exists a story can be extracted.

You may not know exactly where the story will be used immediately, but by keeping your eyes open to see the stories you will be able to use them more effectively to interpret the data you experience in waves every day.

2.    Record, record, record.

 The great John Maxwell, leadership coach and leader, seems to produce a book every six weeks or so. How? He records thoughts, quotes, and stories constantly. If you are a pen and paper person get a mole skin that looks good. Just to keep your thoughts.

 I like Evernote because it is easily searchable.

The form doesn’t matter as long as you will use it consistently. Then find a way to review your stories. On Friday or Saturday search back through your stories from the previous week, write in various lessons, then file the lessons.

3.    Don’t forget the details.

 Great storytellers remember the details. They tell stories with significant characters painted in rich colors.

“I was outside of this restaurant when I saw a woman about 40 with red hair, that was clearly a bad dye job get out of the passenger side of her car…” as opposed to “This lady once…”

 Rich details draw in your listener and help keep them in the story.

4.    Don’t close every loop.

Sometimes the best wisdom is the wisdom that comes from within. As a great storyteller, sometimes you want to leave the conclusions to the listener. Jesus, who was a fantastic storyteller, would often share a story without a conclusion. It drives theologians nuts but is a brilliant way to allow stories to lead to the current necessary conclusion of the listener.

Yesterday, while riding with my wife to the doctor, I was listening to a riveting interview with Seth Godin in which he shared a story about a flight from Springfield to Chicago, IL. As they were boarding the flight, a lady in front of him was clearly uncomfortable with flying and told the flight attendant she had first-class seats. Seth knew the plane was very small with like twelve seats. When the flight attendant shared that with the upset lady, she became more irritated that she wasn’t getting special perks. Then the flight attendant looked at his screen, punched a few keys and said, “My mistake, you are right, this entire flight is a first-class flight.”

Then he left the story to make a completely unrelated point about storytelling, leaving any conclusions about the moral in that story hanging. What?! Still, by leaving his conclusions hanging, he allowed anyone listening to draw their own wisdom from the story.

5.    Practice.

Becoming a good storyteller takes time. The best storytellers script their stories and practice until they know them so well, they can share them in their sleep. It is ok to practice storytelling. When you hear or see a good story, record it, remember the details and messages, and practice using the story as soon as possible. The rehearsal will help the story and the meaning stick in your own brain for future reference.

People listen to those who are telling the most interesting stories, which is why it is extremely important for good leaders to become good storytellers. The best storytellers will set the direction of the future, and if we want it to be good, we need to be the best storytellers.

Photo by Product School on Unsplash