I was in session with a senior leader—managing a team of 53 people, sharp as a razor, results-driven, respected across departments.

I asked him,

“What’s your story?”

He blinked.
Paused.
Then said,

“Honestly? I don’t have one. Nothing special to share.”

The myth of the missing story.

It’s the most common lie high performers tell themselves—
That their life was “just normal”.
That because it didn’t involve a rescue helicopter, a burning house or 43 wolves in the wilderness…
…it doesn’t matter.

Until we dig deeper.

With a few gentle nudges the real story began to surface.

He grew up in a house full of rules but void of recognition.
A childhood of being invisible unless he did something wrong.
By his early 20s, he made a choice—not to please, but to serve.
He built himself from the ground up, brick by brick, leadership through integrity—not applause.

Then he said, eyes wide:

“Oh my gosh. I never thought about its power.
It seemed normal to me.
So… I just never told it to anyone.”

There it was. The real story.
Raw, honest, powerful.
Not a fairytale. Not a headline.
But a truth that inspires far more than a LinkedIn quote ever could.

So how do you tell a story that sticks?

Use the 5-Step Storytelling Cycle to move people—not just impress them.

1. LOCATION

Start with where you were.
People picture scenes faster than they process concepts.

“I was sitting on the floor of my studio apartment with half a frozen pizza in one hand…”

2. ACTION

What were you doing in that moment?
It brings your story to life.

“…re-reading the same sentence in my resignation letter for the 19th time.”

3. THOUGHTS

What was going on in your mind?
Be raw. Be human. No one’s inspired by perfection.

“This is either the most courageous thing I’ve done… or the dumbest.”

4. EMOTIONS

Show how you felt. Be visual. Your vulnerability is your credibility.

“I was scared, sweaty, excited and completely convinced I was going to throw up.”

5. WHAT DID I HEAR?

Insert dialogue. It creates intimacy and relatability.

“My best friend looked at me and said, ‘Well, you’re not boring anymore.’”

Why storytelling matters for leaders?

Because “doing” leadership isn’t enough.
You need to connect.
To inspire.
To move people emotionally—not just strategically.

And your story?
That’s your bridge.
Your fingerprint.
Your superpower.

A few questions to uncover your own story:

• When was the moment you first realized you’re different from who you were raised to be?
• What decision in your life shaped your direction more than you expected?
• What have you overcome that you once thought would break you?

Start there.
Because your story isn’t too normal.
It’s just untold.

And someone out there is waiting to hear it.

Love,
Laszlo