"Every great leader is a great storyteller," asserts Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner. Master storytellers Richard Maxwell and Robert Dickman liken storytelling to running; while everyone can do it, few achieve greatness. The distinction lies in understanding how to optimize every stride for maximum efficiency and goal attainment. Just as elite runners excel by knowing their bodies, effective leaders tell stories from the inside out. In their work, Maxwell and Dickman reveal how storytelling transcends industries and offers benefits to all. Drawing from their backgrounds in entertainment and corporate consulting, they present a formula for compelling narratives. Successful stories share five core elements: the passion of the storyteller, a hero guiding us through the narrative, an antagonist or challenge for the hero to face, a pivotal moment of realization that leads to triumph, and the resulting transformation in both the hero and the world. Leading is inherently more rewarding than following, and even if you don’t aspire to be a CEO or change the world, storytelling empowers you to take charge of your work and ideas. Ultimately, harnessing the power of storytelling can provide a sense of control and influence in your endeavors.
