Crafting Powerful Origin Stories: The Three-Act Framework to Connect and Inspire

Welcome back to Lending Leadership: The Creative Brief, where we dig into stories, strategies, and the moments that shape leadership in the mortgage and lending industries.This week, we’re diving back into storytelling with the brilliant Will Greenblatt, picking up where last episode left off. If you joined us for Part One, you know that Will is a master of helping leaders use narrative to connect, drive change, and be remembered. In Part Two, we unpack the “Three Act Origin Story”—Will’s unique take on a classic storytelling framework designed for leaders who want to bring structure, emotion, and authenticity to their professional stories.So many of us struggle to explain what we do (and why it matters!) without sounding like a walking LinkedIn headline. In this conversation, Rachael, Corinne, and Will get real about how to share your background, struggles, and aha moments in ways that invite empathy and spark conversations within your teams.Here’s what we discussed:The Three Act Origin Story: what it is, how it works, and why starting with childhood is such a gamechanger.How sharing your real, sometimes vulnerable, truth is the opposite of weakness—it's the path to connection and leadership credibility.How to structure your story with just enough details to create empathy, without jumping the timeline or overwhelming your audience.Will Greenblatt’s storytelling coaching in action: listen in asCorinne Bibbshares her background and experience, and we reflect on what makes our stories relatable at work (and why you might want to skip talking present-day specifics when you’re building the scene).The beauty and challenge of embracing the “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up” mindset, especially as a leader in a fast-moving industry.Key takeaways:Start at the Human Level: By anchoring any story in childhood, we tap into our shared humanity. Childhood is an “equalizer,” creating connection even when backgrounds are wildly different. That “baby picture effect” softens our perspective and reminds us everyone starts somewhere.Chronology Builds Transport: To deeply engage your listeners, let your narrative follow a chronological arc. Don’t jump back and forth to present-day facts—keep us in that moment, and watch empathy and curiosity grow.Vulnerability Is Your Superpower: Sharing the truths you’re hesitant to say (like not being sure what you want to be when you grow up) is exactly what draws people in. If it feels risky, it’s probably resonant—your audience feels the tightrope, and that’s where leadership trust is built.Context Creates Clarity: Even small details—like sibling dynamics or socioeconomic background—offer critical context to your journey. They’re often more interesting and memorable than job titles or resume bullet points.You Don’t Need a Perfect Aha Moment: Not everyone has a dramatic turning point or a grand “why” behind their choices. Admitting you don’t know, or that some things developed organically, is just as valid. What matters is honestly naming those moments and the questions they raise.We left off on a tantalizing note: next episode, Will Greenblatt goes even deeper into real-time coaching, helping Rachael and Corinne Bibb shape their stories for maximum connection and clarity. This trilogy is a must-listen for anyone looking to rehumanize their leadership narrative and make meaningful connections in (and out of) the workplace.Pull up a seat, grab a pen, and get ready for more storytelling magic next week on Lending Leadership: The Creative Brief!Rach & Rinn