LEADERSHIP STORY

GAYLY ANN I. TOLENTINO

PH.D STUDENT
What are the elements of a great story?
 Pick a moment in time…

Challenge
Why did you feel it was a challenge?
What was so challenging about it?

Choice
Why did you make the choice you did?
Where did you get the courage – or
not? How did it feel?

Outcome
How did the outcome feel? Why?
What did it teach you?
What do you want to teach us?
Find your “Nugget of Truth”
Set the scene

Sensory: See, touch, hear, taste

Descriptive detail helps retain in memory
Bring people into the moment with you
What was your experience?

How did it make you feel?

The do’s
 The story you tell must be true.
 It must be related. Make sure you are sharing a story that directly
relates to the topic at hand.
 What are the stakes? The story should have action and
consequences. What was gained or lost in this moment? What was
the outcome? How did it impact you?
 Is it your story to tell? If the story you are telling is not your own
you must have permission to share it. If the person who experienced
it is in the room you can’t share it.
 Timing: Try to tell the story in 3-5 minutes. The power comes from
the words you are saying not how long you are talking.
The don’ts

 Don’t explain a culture or community that is not your own.

 Don’t overcomplicate it. Keep it simple yet powerful.
 Don’t just retell it, relive it. Make your audience understand the importance.
 Don’t forget to breathe. A pause before the plot twist or point of your story
can amplify the impact.

Tips and TRICKS
• MAKE IT PERSONAL. TELL THEM
NAMES, PLACES, FEELINGS.

• B R I N G A P H O T O I F I T R E L AT E S .
•
• P R A C T I C E M A K E S P E R F E C T.
S H A R E W I T H Y O U R G R O U P, Y O U R
FRIENDS AND YOURSELF BEFORE
YOU GO BEFORE YOUR
AUDIENCE.
 Tools in Your Toolbox: Public Narrative

Stories Matter
• Effective way to influence policy makers, bust dangerous myths
• Stories 22x more likely to be remembered than facts alone
• Your voice can empower others to speak up, or be a voice for others
Training Tool - Public Narrative
• Translating values into action
• Connecting the head to the heart
• Link our own "calling" to a community call to action
• Overcoming apathy with hope
 Public Narrative Structure

Self
Your purpose, call to leadership
Story of awakening

Us
Connecting to your community:
What are the shared values, goals,
choices your community must make?

Now
What do you want me to do about it?
CALL TO ACTION!
Stories are sacred

With great power, comes great

responsibility.

Do not do for others what they can do for

themselves. You can’t speak on another
person’s truth

Do your homework, know your audience,

50/50 conversations.

“Don’t talk unless you can improve the

silence.” - Borges
Leadership is about
making others better
as a result of your
presence and making
THANK
sure that impact last
in your absence. YOU !
---Anonymous