Storytelling to Bridge the Gap Between Leadership Experience and Team Innovation

Have you ever been labeled as arrogant or harsh as a leader? It’s a common challenge when you possess valuable experience, yet your team is exploring new ideas. Your instinct might be to point out flaws, but this can alienate your team and stifle innovation. So, how can you guide them without coming across as a “jerk”? The answer lies in storytelling.

Instead of outright dismissing an idea, share a relevant story from your own experience. For instance, when a company I was advising was heading towards a familiar mistake, rather than saying, “You’re wrong,” I recounted a past scenario where a similar decision led to regret. By sharing this story, which included emotional elements and identifiable characters, I was able to highlight the potential pitfalls while still respecting their enthusiasm. This approach fostered a constructive dialogue and redirected the team toward a better path.

Leaders are often driven by a clear vision and the desire for excellence, but it’s crucial for your team to understand the reasoning behind your insights. The next time you feel tempted to critique an idea directly, take a moment to pause and share your story. This simple shift can bridge the gap between your expertise and their innovation, ultimately creating a more collaborative and inspired team environment. One story can transform perceptions and lead to impactful solutions.

Kindra Hall

Wall Street Journal bestselling author and Award-Winning Storyteller Kindra Hall, MA, told her first story in the spring of 1992.

Since that time, Hall has become the go-to expert for storytelling in business and beyond. She is the best-selling author of Stories that Stick, which debuted at #2 on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller List, and companies like Forbes and Gartner say it “may be the most valuable business book you read.” Kindra’s newest book, Choose Your Story, Change Your Life is one of the Next Big Idea Club’s top 10 happiness books.

Kindra is a sought-after keynote speaker trusted by global brands to deliver messages that inspire teams and individuals to better communicate the value of their company, their products and their individuality through strategic storytelling. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, young son and daughter.

More from Kindra:

https://www.success.com/author/kindra-hall

https://www.inc.com/author/kindra-hall

https://www.entrepreneur.com/author/kindra-hall

https://www.kindrahall.com/about
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The Dos and Don’ts of Storytelling in Meetings

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