Three universal stories that all successful leaders tell
I was lucky enough last month to meet and interview the journalist Gavin Esler. In his career he has interviewed leaders from the worlds of business, politics and entertainment. In the UK, the USA and across the World. He realised that there was a common thread running through all these meetings.
All successful leaders, he recognised, from whatever background tell three stories.
There is the story about who they are as an individual – their background and personal journey. Esler described this as the ‘who am I story’.
Then there is the ‘who are we story’. This is a story about our organisation, or party or country, where we come from - our reason for being.
Then the leader outlines where their leadership is going to take us in the future. This is the ‘our common purpose story’.
Gavin’s book Lessons from the Top is packed full of wonderful examples of the stories that leaders tell and why they are so effective. He also explores what happens to the leaders who fail to find a story that followers can easily connect with.
The book was first published in 2012 and feels particularly fresh today living through the momentous political events of the present moment!
As the holiday approaches I can recommend it as a fascinating, educational and practical book. Here is a link:
Lessons from the Top: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lessons-Top-universal-stories-successful/dp/1846685001
Also, if you want a taster then here is a link to Gavin’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilDO5afvn-4
Can I wish you all a very happy Christmas and successful 2020.
