The Stories We Tell Shape Our Leadership.

The stories we tell matter—the ones we share with others and the ones we quietly repeat to ourselves.

These stories carry our values and define how we view power, leadership, and our place in the world. They subtly shape our behaviours and interactions, often without us realising.

Stories don’t just entertain; they validate experiences, broaden perspectives, and challenge assumptions. I see this in action at Belvoir St Theatre, where I’ve been both a devoted attendee and a Board member. Belvoir's commitment to inclusivity brings diverse voices—First Nations Australians, migrant communities, and the LGBTQ+ community—to the stage, giving their stories space to resonate. This inclusivity reflects my own values in leadership: authentic, open-minded, and focused on raising others’ voices.

When we see ourselves represented, we feel less isolated, and when we’re introduced to stories different from our own, we gain empathy and insight.

Leaders, too, can apply these principles by re-evaluating the stories they tell themselves. We all have personal narratives that shape our careers, whether consciously or unconsciously. By recognising these stories, leaders can understand how they’re shaping their perceptions of power, success, and influence, allowing them to lead with greater empathy and authenticity.

Recently, I invited clients and colleagues to Well-Behaved Women at Belvoir, a song cycle that reimagines the lives of trail-blazing women throughout history. It was a powerful exploration of perspective-shifting questions:

How does the story of original sin change through Eve’s eyes? What might Mary Magdalene have felt as the only woman at the Last Supper? How would Shakespeare’s sister have shaped literature if given the freedom he had? And why did an empty fruit bowl cause a media frenzy around Julia Gillard?

These questions serve as reminders to challenge the stories we accept.

In my work as a coach, I encourage leaders to reframe their stories. Consider: What stories have defined your journey? Are there outdated narratives that might be holding you back? How have your ideas about power and leadership been shaped by the stories you were brought up with?

Reframing the stories you tell yourself can be transformative, opening you to new possibilities, providing not only a fresh outlook on your potential but also inspiring those around you to do the same and increasing your impact as a leader.

Are you ready to explore your stories?

With love,

Sue

WHAT I AM READING

Eric Beecher’s book The Men Who Killed The News is a fascinating read about the media’s abuse of power and the importance of freedom of the media.

WHAT I AM WATCHING

On a lighter note I can’t wait for the movie Wicked to hit the big screens!

HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN WORK WITH ME

• Individual Executive Coaching: This is a partnership between coach and client focusing on building leadership capacity.

• Workshop Facilitation: Strengthen team resilience and communication, especially for technically oriented teams.

• Keynote Speaking: Inspire excellence and authentic leadership through executive presence. Learn more here.

• Small Group Coaching: Join CFO Women's Circles for senior female finance leaders to develop and network

If you’d like to know more about any of these, please email me or set up a call.