Effective Storytelling

Posted on by Byron Darden

Storytelling is as old as humanity itself. Before the advent of paper and ink, stories were passed on from generation to generation. Sitting around telling stories was a way of passing history and sharing wisdom. I recall my grandfather’s wonderful stories about the horse that tried to get away and how he wrangled that mare into submission and got her to “simmer down” and fall in line with the rest of the horses on the family farm.

Evolving from the oldest form of communication, cave drawings transitioned to the spoken and then written word over time. It has since advanced to electronic mediums and through song, dance, cinematic treatments, and live theater. Living here in New York, I get numerous opportunities to see live theater and experience the telling of story in a multi-media treatment that includes song, dance, projected images, live performance, and other high-tech ways of bringing the story to life for the audience.

Effective storytelling is achieved by a number of devices, techniques, and processes. Back to that Google Search on what makes a compelling story. The results show some common themes.

  • A story must have a purpose. Otherwise, you are just speaking to be heard. When a CEO presents a concept to their company, the purpose is to motivate the team and increase the bottom line. To do this, the CEO sets the foundation with a story. It defines the why.
  • The story has to be geared toward a specific audience. Storytelling builds a relationship with the listener. Should your audience be software engineers, talking about baking cookies will probably not fly (I suppose this does depend on how well you tell a story.).
  • A story should connect you, your product, and your audience. Compelling stories resonate with the listener and evoke emotion. Pull your audience into the story by emphasizing what’s in it for them.
  • Cater your story to the medium you are using. You can use facial features and gestures to get your point across should you tell a story in person (or through a video). Use personal narratives and visual representation in the event you tell a story through email or print. Grab the audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression.
  • To sell a story, the most compelling message tends to come from your heart. You are the storyteller, and you are what makes the story authentic.

What is Storytelling?

Posted on by Byron Darden

I’ve been telling stories my entire life. Yet, when I thought about how I define storytelling, I was challenged to find words to describe one of the oldest forms of communication.

My approach is probably much like yours when you need quick information. Google it! I have to say, the definition that powerfully captures my thoughts and feelings on the topic comes from Olivier Serrat. “Storytelling is the vivid description of ideas, beliefs, personal experiences, and life lessons through stories or narratives that evoke powerful emotions and insights.”

This definition effectively covers the various aspects of storytelling. It inspires connection and imagination. It puts the speaker in command of their audience, and they hang on to each word with great attention. It gives storytelling a purpose.

The Gift of Storytelling

Posted on by Byron Darden

When we were little, we told grand tales about what we wanted to be when we grew up. I wanted to be a figure skater and join Ice Capades. Now that we are older, we tell stories about what we did over the weekend or what happened to us while fetching groceries. “You’ll never guess what happened to me today!” we exclaim to our partner as we burst into the door at the end of the day.

Everyone tells stories, and everyone has a story to tell.

This month, we examine how storytelling defines us as a person and a leader. We are looking at storytelling as a gift you can develop.

A good story draws in your audience. It has credibility and truth. It gets your message across and entertains you at the same time. It evokes emotions and inspires actions.


Storytelling impacts almost every aspect of society. Movies, sitcoms, documentaries, commercials, print ads, newspaper columns, TikTok videos, you name it – are all stories. Marketing a product, sales pitches, or even sharing stories about yourself in the boardroom to provide a particular point of view (POV) involves storytelling.

Founder’s Corner

Posted on by Byron Darden

In this season of giving and celebration we found it fitting to give The Gift of Storytelling. One of the oldest traditions of communication, it is through storytelling that we share our beliefs, values and the rules by which we live. As a result, these three aspects of our lives control the way we think, feel and behave.

Therefore storytelling perpetuates life itself. It is a force so strong that we draw from it every day to support habits that keep us going. Stories are our teachers about everything from why it is important to floss daily and brush our teeth following meals, to how we interact with supervisors, peers and subordinates with whom we work.

Stories tell about who we are as individuals and as communities. They teach lessons such as why it is important to take risks in business in order to move initiatives forward. Stories motivate change. Whether it is a change in how you do business or how you will move into the next year as we will all do in just a few weeks as we embark on a new journey in 2023.

Storytelling also serves us in how we look at things. Stories can change the frame so that we are provided with a fresh or new outlook. For instance, one of the hallmarks of my work with leaders and managers is how we use language in ways to perpetuate positive work flows and accomplish business goals. One example is the use of the word perpetuate.

I’ve used the word perpetuate twice in this article. Typically the word is associated with undesirable situations or unfounded beliefs. Yet, when defined by Merriam Webster, it is also defined as: to make perpetual or cause to last indefinitely; eternalized, immortalized. Those are not necessarily negative ways of seeing things. Yet we can allow ourselves to over simplify what we mean without clarification.

As you read this month’s blog, think about how you can tap into your perpetuation of life by developing and telling Your story! To learn more about how we can work together to help shape your story to perpetuate what is important to you in your leadership, click the button below and let’s explore.

Explore Storytelling

Building Leadership Capacity with a Coach

Posted on by Byron Darden

“To grow capacity in your career, you need to move from the place of position to a place of skill acquisition.”
― Olawale Daniel

Earlier in this article, I spoke about stretching yourself when it seems like you have reached your capacity. This is a chance to grow as a manager and as a person. Often this involves looking deep into yourself and identifying roadblocks. These could be perceived blocks in your organization or inside of yourself.

My name is Byron Darden, and I help women to break through the barriers that keep them from being their best selves. Through this website, seminars, workshops, and Masterminds, I provide a wealth of information that will get you out of your stuck place and encourage you to take charge of your career. Whether you are already in a leadership position or on your desired path, together we can look at what is holding you back and develop a plan to achieve your goals. Click on the button below to find out your leadership style and schedule a one-to-one discovery conversation to identify what your ideal next steps can do for you.

Discovery Session

My name is Byron Darden, and I help women to break through the barriers that keep them from being their best selves. Through this website, seminars, workshops, and Masterminds, I provide a wealth of information that will get you out of your stuck place and encourage you to take charge of your career. Whether you are already in a leadership position or on your desired path, together we can look at what is holding you back and develop a plan to achieve your goals. Click on the button below to find out your leadership style and schedule a one-to-one discovery conversation to identify what your ideal next steps can do for you

Moving Forward

Posted on by Byron Darden

The past couple of years have been challenging for both employees and managers. Some managers have had to adapt to an environment where their team works Remotely.

Calls on Zoom and monitoring productivity from afar requires a sense of trust and reliance on communication. A recent Gallup poll states that only 19% of US employees feel that their organization communicates effectively. Without effective communication, employees become detached and are less engaged in their work. This can lead to an employee leaving the company.

This lack of communication can stem from the fact that managers may not have information to share, or they are afraid to say the wrong things. There is a fine line between contacting your employees and assuring them that you hear their concerns and sharing that you don’t have answers. Addressing issues early and often is wiser than staying silent. Lacking solid answers or simply repeat yourself regarding your current lack of intel will show employees that you care.

Your Turn

Posted on by Byron Darden

As you contemplate your leadership capacity and the next steps in your journey, I’d like to give you some questions to ponder:

  • How do you determine your everchanging approach to leadership?
  • What key behaviors and specific skills do you possess that make you an effective leader?
  • What is the content of your character that inspires confidence in others?
  • What do you know, and how well-equipped are you to run a line of business?

There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to your character; recognizing your strengths will help you grow as a leader.

Leadership Capacity in an Organization

Posted on by Byron Darden

An essential role of top-level leadership is building leadership capacity across all tiers of your organization. The CEO of a company must have the capacity to be a leader and develop a pipeline of leaders down the chain of command. From senior executives to front-line managers, leadership development is an intense process.

Suppose one of your top-level executives decided to pursue another path. How prepared are you to replace them? Would it be a frantic search, or is a strong team member ready to step into the role? 

Nurturing leadership capacity at all levels of the organization ensures that gaps are minimized. Strategic planning can involve looking into the future and envisioning your desired leadership traits. Using that blueprint, develop future leaders by offering training, education, mentoring, and coaching opportunities. Check in often to see where leaders shine and where they can improve. Consider hiring new people for a fresh perspective in those areas where there is a lack of capacity.

Over time, build a culture that supports engagement. Show that you are willing to invest in people, and leaders will shine.

The Importance of Building Leadership Capacity

Posted on by Byron Darden

Demonstrating your willingness to grow as a leader shows your team that you are committed. You are developing yourself as a resource they can rely on when situations become challenging. Enhanced problem-solving skills and communication techniques prepare you for unforeseen circumstances.

As mentioned earlier, you do not have to build capacity independently. When you are ready to hire a new employee or bring someone new to your team, choosing the ideal fit becomes imperative. Begin by looking at your needs and determine who can most effectively meet those needs. One way to do that is to consider the capacity a person must have for you to feel confident in your choice to bring them into the fold.

Building Leadership Capacity

Posted on by Byron Darden

These four elements are used to build your capacity as a leader. Developing business acumen will lead to adaptability. Developing style will lead to confidence. One has to build a reservoir of capacity to have a foundation from which to draw.

At times, you may feel you’ve reached your limits and are at full capacity. Realize that you have room for more, which signals a time for you to step back to see the 10,000-foot view. Take inventory of what is and what more is needed so that you can step forward and plot how to grow beyond where you find yourself at the moment.

Take this opportunity to acknowledge your strengths and what you do well. Then examine your challenges and growing edges. Instead of attempting to resolve everything that needs work, you may find it more critical and time effective to surround yourself with those who possess the capacity you desire. Good leaders know their capabilities and shortcomings and seek to find answers. This may involve adding a new team member or consulting a subject matter expert to provide a different point of view. Or perhaps you will discover a world of experience from someone else that is not currently yours.

You can also seek professional development activities. The best leaders are continually learning and developing. Books, podcasts, seminars, and peers can provide growth opportunities. Here are some I can recommend:

  • Leadership Programs such as Columbia, Darden, Duke, Harvard, are a great source
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Leadership Engine by Noel Tichy
  • Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
  • Biographies of CEOs
  • Blogs from ByronDarden.com