290: Kurian M Tharakan - The Story Defines the Leader

How do leaders navigate through change when it's so disruptive? Kurian M Tharakan, the author of The 7 Essential Stories Charismatic Leaders Tell, points out the power of telling stories and how leaders need to be aware of data and analytics in order to keep their customers safe and their employees thriving.Kurian M Tharakan is the founder of the sales and marketing strategy firm StrategyPeak Sales & Marketing Advisors and a 27-year veteran of the sales and marketing industry. He has consulted for companies in numerous sectors. Kurian is also the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “The 7 Essential Stories Charismatic Leaders Tell,” which details how anyone can move people and mountains with the power of story.Let’s tune in to understand the depth of storytelling through the lens of being a leader and how we can leverage that power in this ever-changing world.In this episode:Kurian discusses how business success is based on the ability to sell an idea to others.Listen to how Kurian’s leadership experience started out as an accident and ended up enjoying the roleAlexander the Great and Steve Jobs are both examples of great leaders who were able to create powerful empires and multimillion-dollar businesses due to their leadership skills.Strong leadership comes from being able to deliver on promises.Being flexible means being able to change your plans when necessary.Key Takeaways:The story we tell ourselves is the only way to make sense of one's worldPractice meditation and anticipate the next big thingThere is virtue in staying calm and in control despite changesLearn how to deliver a strong narrativeLeaders must be adaptive and lead a bigger game in order to stay aheadTweetable Quotes:“The only time that you can make sense of your world is through the stories you tell yourself about it.” - Kurian M Tharakan“Selling, the very first thing you have to sell is an idea, and ideas don't always end up in products. They can end up in directions.” - Kurian M Tharakan“A great leader with a poor story becomes a poor leader. But even a mediocre leader with a great story has the opportunity to become a great leader.” - Kurian M TharakanConnect with Kurian on LinkedIn and Twitter @KurianTharakan. Check out his book The 7 Essential Stories Charismatic Leaders Tell and visit his website.Email: [email protected]: http://www.leadingchangepartners.com/ Leadership Is Changing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadershipIsChanging/Leadership is Changing LinkedIn Page:https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadership-is-changing-podcast/