Everyone Has a Story
Open This Book: The Art of Storytelling for Aspiring Thought Leaders is a structured exploration of storytelling; sharing with readers how this approach can make them better leaders and show them how to communicate impactful messages to their audiences. What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always loved stories. I was sent down the rabbit hole of learning about storytelling when I was guided through telling a silly story about a bad tattoo on a massive financial podcast, just because the host thought it was funny. The way he interviewed me about the story made it sound far more valuable and insightful than I ever noticed before.
I launched my company in 2022 to help teach people how to be great podcast guests to grow their brands. I’d focus on crafting their stories in a way that connects with an audience while positioning them as experts.
What I heard from so many of the people I spoke to was that they didn’t have a story, or their story was not worth telling. I remembered thinking that this stupid tattoo story wasn’t worth telling either, and yet learning how to tell it the right way changed my life. So, I wrote the book to help others discover the same impact in their own stories and realize they’re worth telling, too.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The obvious one is that everyone has a story, but the chapters that really stand out to me are the ones on imposter syndrome and expertise.
I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome my entire career and I know basically everyone else has, too. I wanted to share my experiences with imposter syndrome so that others in the same position could see that they’re not alone and maybe start to give themselves a little grace.
The chapter on expertise was also important to me because it was almost like I was writing it as a letter to myself. Going back to imposter syndrome, it was hard to convince myself to write a book because “at 28, how can I possibly think I’m an expert in anything?” Reframing expertise into something far more accessible was something that I needed to do for myself to get past the roadblock. Hopefully, someone reading it will have a similar reaction.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
There will always be another room. Especially when I worked in finance, I spent a lot of time in rooms that made me feel like I had to be something other than myself, literally and figuratively. I would put on the facade of who I thought others wanted me to be as I tried to earn a seat at the table.
It took far too many years for me to realize that any room that makes me feel like I need to be someone else is not the room for me. It isn’t my job to change the opinion of the room that I belong there. I’d rather find a different room.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Open This Book?
My biggest hope is that they’ll realize they do have a story worth telling!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Ever think that silly story you tell to break the ice could actually be a breakthrough for your career?
Welcome to Open This Book: The Art of Storytelling for Aspiring Thought Leaders, where we’re ditching the textbook definitions and embracing storytelling as the heart of authentic leadership.
This isn’t your average “how-to” guide. Imagine it as a heart-to-heart with a friend who’s seen their fair share of life’s plot twists and learned how careful word choice and a smooth delivery can turn chaos into clarity and mishaps into powerful messages.
Because the secret to being a thought leader–a content creator, podcaster, speaker, author–is knowing how to transform those “just another day” experiences into an arsenal for connecting in a world that’s scrolling past the same old content.
Open This Book is your backstage pass to understanding why storytelling isn’t just for the Shakespeares and Spielbergs of the world. Designed as part book, part journal (but no part textbook), this book is for anyone who’s ever had a “you can’t make this up” moment (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?). From crafting your narrative to delivering it in a way that feels like a mic drop, we’ll explore the ins and outs of telling stories that connect, challenge, and change the game of leadership.
So, if you’re ready to turn your misadventures into your mission statement, you’ve come to the right place. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best stories are hiding in plain sight—they just need a little nudge (or a full-on shove) into the spotlight.
This isn’t just about finding your voice; it’s about discovering that your voice, quirks and all, is exactly what the world’s been waiting to hear.
What are you waiting for? Open this book.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/06/02/everyone-has-a-story-2/
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