"Were it not for the storyteller, civilization would destroy itself" - Albert Camus
Embarking on a journey from software engineer to director of engineering and now nurturing the next wave of tech leaders, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution of leadership in the tech sphere.
Today, I want to share a key insight from my voyage: the synergistic power of storytelling and vulnerability in leadership.
🐲 Storytelling in Leadership:
It's not just about the narratives we share but how we share them. My journey into leadership taught me that vulnerability is not a weakness but a bridge, one that connects experiences, aspirations, and, most importantly, people.
🐉 Encountering Dragons:
In the realm of technology and leadership, we all face our dragons - challenges and fears that shadow our professional paths. These dragons, often rooted in our deepest insecurities, can be daunting. Yet, it's in confronting them that we find our true strength.
🔥 Here's an example of how storytelling and vulnerability can intertwine in leadership:
1. Sharing My Dragons:
By recounting tales of my own dragons—abandonment, subjugation, and unrelenting standards - I don't just share my battles; I share my humanity.
These stories serve as gateways, inviting my team to explore their own narratives of struggle and resilience.
2. Embracing Mantras:
Each story is accompanied by mantras that guide us through the darkness:
💚 "I am good enough" celebrates self-acceptance and the strength in vulnerability.
💚 "I set healthy boundaries" underscores the importance of self-respect and the courage to welcome feedback.
💚 "Striving for perfection leads to stagnation" reminds us that progress, not perfection, fosters true innovation and collaboration.
❤️🔥 The Impact of Storytelling on My Team:
Through these stories, I've seen transformations within my team that textbooks and seminars could never achieve.
When leaders share their vulnerabilities, it does more than foster trust - it inspires.
It encourages team members to view their own
dragons not as threats but as opportunities for growth and connection.
🌊 The Ripple Effect:
This journey of storytelling and vulnerability is not solely about personal development.
It catalyzes a cultural shift within teams, creating an environment where empathy, trust, and collaboration flourish.
It's about constructing a collective narrative where each member sees their reflections in the stories shared, understanding that together, we're not merely engineers or leaders but architects of change.
As we share our vulnerabilities and the stories that shape us, we transcend mere collaboration.
We forge a bond that resonates with our shared humanity, driving us toward our collective mission with greater passion and unity.
💪🏿 Let's champion storytelling in our leadership. Let's share, listen, and grow together, for it's through our stories that we inspire change, foster innovation, and empower each other to face our dragons with courage and grace.
#Leadership #Storytelling #Vulnerability #Engineering #Techleadership #Empowerment #Growthmindset #avagasso
