Stories are all around us. When we are young, stories shape our perception of the world and help answer our questions. As we grow, we continue to tell stories—whether on the phone, through messenger apps, over coffee with a friend, or even in dialogue with ourselves. Storytelling is a powerful art that engages others, offering answers to questions and unveiling the deeper truths hidden within every great narrative.
Recently, I was inspired by an article published in Forbes that discussed how storytellingan enhance leadership effectiveness and build a successful career. While the article wasn’t strictly about storytelling or leadership, it illustrated a crucial point through the power of a well-told story.
As a heritage interpreter and certified trainer in heritage interpretation, storytelling is at the core of my work. My personal brands, Storytelling Skopje and Storytelling Macedonia, reflect this passion. I don’t consider myself a trained storyteller, but rather someone with the gift of transforming scientific facts and information into stories that truly resonate with people. A significant part of my job involves communicating heritage—whether natural or cultural—to the public, the media, and all interested parties, primarily through storytelling.
The Forbes article doesn’t provide a direct answer on how to boost leadership effectiveness, but it does highlight an important aspect that is also essential to heritage interpretation: the ability to convey a universal truth, a larger meaning, through a story. This approach allows people to reflect on a topic in a way that is most meaningful to them, rather than just accepting scientific facts or established narratives.
One of the ultimate goals of heritage interpretation is to open paths to different meanings. If you can achieve this while telling a story, you’re well on your way to becoming a leader in your field, no matter where you are or what you work with.
Link to the article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rodgerdeanduncan/2024/08/15/storytelling-boost-leadership-effectiveness/
