Inspire Others With Your Personal Stories

Leaders often struggle with how to inspire their teams. Sure, we can offer praise (though that's typically underutilized), offer some incentives or bring in an outside speaker.

But, one way that's often overlooked is the leader's own personal story. If you've been around the block a few times, chances are you've struggled or encountered challenges very similar to what you're facing today. Use that to your advantage.

How?

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You can use stories in a meeting, email update or just informally in one-on-one conversations. It doesn't have to be all that formal. Just launch into a, "Boy, I remember when I was head of Marketing. Our backs were really up against the wall. So, we decided to . . . ."

People love stories. They love to be inspired. They love to see what worked in the past, or how you dealt with overwhelming odds.

Stories give hope. They remind us that we have what it takes to make it through whatever low point we face.

Stories also humanize the leader. You're not just some automaton. You can relate to others and they can relate to you.

Leaders talk about "management by walking around." That is, they try to avoid being holed up in their office. If that's you, great. But, while you're walking around, tell a few stories.

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