Befriending Your Inner Narrator

Join Ulrike Seminati with her guest, Valerie Gordon, as they talk about using the power of a meaningful, memorable story for impact and influence. Valerie is an Emmy award-winning television producer and the founder of Commander-In-She, a communications and career strategy firm. In this episode, she tells how she helps high-achieving women take command of the storytelling skills necessary to grow their careers and ascend the leadership ladder. Tune in to this episode to learn more!

The Inner Narrator

In the thinking process, there is always that voice in the head that criticizes every thought and situation. Some people call it their conscience, but for Valerie, she calls it the “inner narrator.” Valerie calls it a narrator because it is like a voiceover processing everything she does throughout the day. It criticizes every mistake made in the past and worries about the future. The inner narrator creates one’s narrative point of view – how one sees the world. Another factor why Valerie calls it a narrator is because of her work that is all based on storytelling. The inner narrator sets the tone of the story. In a broader sense, the voice in the head can be one’s friend or foe, which sets the mood as to how they feel about themselves. It makes an inner story that impacts external results. Thus it is necessary to work with the inner narrator to better the chances of a successful career.

Narrative Types

Valerie has spoken to many clients and audiences regarding her work about the inner narrator. As a communications strategist, working with these clients has led her to categorize the narrative types. There are ten types in her list, but three of the most common are the inner critic, the ruminating narrator, and the people-pleaser. The inner critic is when a person tends to be critical and harsh on themselves. Valerie says it is present particularly in high-achieving women. Meanwhile, the ruminating narrator is the voice in the head that could not let go of past mistakes or opportunities. This type creates repetitive thoughts which inhibit the person from making a greater future chapter. Finally, the third most common narrative type, the people-pleaser, is when the voice tells the person it is selfish to put themselves over others first. The needs of others must be the priority, and it guilts the person out for taking the time for themselves. Valerie says that a person can have multiple narrative types, and the way to manage and work with them is through identification. Knowing what to deal with means giving a long-term solution.

About Valerie Gordon:

As a career and communications strategist, Valerie works with high-achievers, using stories to build their brand, manage their message, perfect that presentation and advocate for themselves as they ascend the leadership ladder. 

Valerie helps bridge the talent gap by partnering with corporations, encouraging executives to lead with authenticity, and empowering women to take a seat at the table and impact the agenda. Her innovative keynotes and workshops offer audiences the story strategies to speak up and stand out and create a successful next chapter in their career story.

As adjunct faculty at the University of Connecticut School of Business, Valerie teaches career development and job search strategies, helping undergraduates prepare a career “toolkit” and create a professional social media presence. She has also lectured at Columbia University and the University of Hartford.

Outline of the Episode:

[00:44] How Valerie came up with storytelling for career success

[02:33] The inner narrator

[09:22] Tips on how to not let the inner narrator go against the current

[15:55] Valerie’s process of identifying the type of inner narrator talking to her

[17:59] What it means to “recast the role” of the inner narrator

[24:04] Can an inner narrator get fired?

[25:57] Advice on how to identify the narrative type

Resources:

Website: https://commander-in-she.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommanderInShe

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@CommanderInShe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commanderinshe/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriejgordon/

Connect with Ulrike!

Website: https://ulrikeseminati.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/empowering-female-leaders/

Email: [email protected]