Tell Me a Story: Leadership Lessons from the Stories That Stick

Episode 11Storytelling is a leadership superpower—but too often, we don’t use it well. In this episode, Michael and Vernon dive into why stories matter, especially in leadership roles where influence matters more than control.They share three of the essential story types every leader should have in their toolbox—value, founder, and purpose stories—inspired by Kindra Hall’s book Stories That Stick. You’ll hear: How Kindra Hall’s Normal–Explosion–New Normal model compares to the Hero’s Journey and the MACRO PPP (Problem–Path–Payoff) structure.Real leadership stories told live on the podcast—with feedback from AI voices Sarah and Imogene!Tips on how to craft your own leadership stories that connect with your team and inspire meaningful change. Whether you're a mid-level manager or a senior leader, this episode will challenge you to reflect, connect, and tell your own story better.Storytelling Challenge: This week, record a short version of one of your own leadership stories—value, founder, or purpose. Then share it with a colleague, your team, or even a voice memo to yourself. Not sure how to begin? Visit engagedbydesign.com to download our free storytelling prompts or reach out for a coaching session.Affiliate Links:Books referenced in this episodeMACRO Leadership, by Michael Cottam: https://amzn.to/476zHRP Stories That Stick, by Kindra Hall: https://amzn.to/4lZ9KskBuilding a StoryBrand 2.0, by Donald Miller: https://amzn.to/4ocHGmGStoryworthy, by Matthew Dicks: https://amzn.to/4fbCxqN The technology we usedShure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxnPC Shure MV7i Microphone with Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/3GX0Jkb   Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more aboutThe Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education