Imagine you’re captaining a ship sailing towards a new destination. Your crew is talented but diverse, with different skills and experiences. The journey is long, and the seas can get rough. How do you keep everyone motivated, aligned, and focused on the end goal? You tell them stories.

That’s precisely why program executives need to be skilled storytellers. It’s not about fairy tales or bedtime stories, but about using narratives to lead, inspire, and guide their teams to success. Here’s how:

• Charting the Course: Just like a captain uses maps and charts, a program executive uses stories to paint a vivid picture of the program’s vision and objectives. By sharing compelling narratives about where they’re going and why it matters, they ensure everyone is on the same page and understands the bigger picture.
• Weathering the Storms: Projects inevitably face challenges and setbacks. A good story can help the team navigate these rough waters. By sharing stories of past triumphs over adversity, the program executive instills confidence and resilience in their crew, reminding them that they can overcome any obstacle.
• Connecting with the Crew: Stories create a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. When a program executive shares personal anecdotes or stories that resonate with the team’s experiences, they build trust and forge stronger bonds. This fosters a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
• Guiding with the Stars: Stories can act as a compass, guiding the team’s decisions and actions. By sharing stories that illustrate the program’s values and principles, the program executive provides a framework for ethical decision-making and responsible execution.
• Celebrating the Voyage: Stories are not just for overcoming challenges; they’re also for celebrating successes. By acknowledging and sharing stories of the team’s achievements, the program executive boosts morale and motivates them to strive for further excellence.

In essence, storytelling is a powerful tool in a program executive’s toolkit. It enables them to:

• Maintain strong leadership by inspiring and influencing the team.
• Motivate and guide by providing direction and purpose.
• Build consensus by communicating effectively with stakeholders.
• Strengthen relationships by fostering trust and understanding.
• Share knowledge and experience to drive continuous improvement.

By mastering the art of storytelling, program executives can transform their programs into epic voyages of success, where everyone feels invested in the journey and celebrates the destination together.

How to give the perfect speech – (60 Body, 30 Voice, 10 Content)

Speechmaking coach Martin Newman, of The Newman Partnership