🤸 The #1 tool for meaningful connections, “Tough Titties,” & X

Hey — it’s Cristina & Jenni.

This week, the theme is all about storytelling & connection, and how we can weave our authentic voice & stories into our leadership practice!

We hope you enjoy it, and if you have any feedback or ideas on topics we should cover, hit reply and let us know.

Let’s dive in 🤸

What we’re reflecting on this week

You know that feeling you get when you’re lost in a great book? Transported to another world just through words?

“Nightingale” and “Where the Crawdads Sing” did this for me 🤩

Now, imagine if you could weave that magic in your workplace 🪄

Picture those once-dull meetings suddenly filled with engaged faces, thanks to deeper connection, trust, and shared understanding.

Yet we often approach meetings and 1:1s conveying directives, new initiatives, or product changes in a black-and-white manner, without looking for ways to bring them to life so that they resonate with the audience.

And that’s where storytelling comes in.

Because stories don’t just entertain, they do the hard work of:

• Helping us relate to each other on a deeper, more emotional level 😍

• Translating complex ideas, lessons, and experiences into something meaningful and relatable - creating those “aha moments” 🥺

• Bridging gaps, building trust, and inspiring action⚡️

In other words, #leadershipgoals.

So, how can you start weaving stories into your leadership practice?

A great place to start is by keeping these 7 aspects of great storytelling in your back pocket as you go about your day:

1. Collect stories: Start keeping an eye out for stories in your day-to-day interactions. Create a story database, and maybe even categorize them by theme so you can easily find the right story for the right moment.

2. Know your audience: Recognize that people have varying preferences in how they receive information. Tailor your story to resonate with different individuals.

3. Be clear and concise: Establish a clear goal for why you want to tell the story and convey the core message without rambling.

4. Choose the right time (and place): Use your EQ to figure out whether it’s the right setting, and if your story will resonate with where and when you want to tell it.

5. Get personal: Share personal experiences, thoughts, and emotions to build a deeper connection with your audience.

6. Use body language: Be mindful of non-verbal cues like eye contact, gestures, and expressions to elevate your storytelling.

7. Practice and seek feedback: Like any skill, storytelling requires continuous practice. It involves trial and error, and understanding what works and what doesn't.

A big part of this is recognizing that it’s not about that one “magical” story that’s worth sharing.

But about transforming your lessons, experiences, and challenges into great stories to be told - to the right audience, at the right time and place.

And once you start looking, really looking, you’ll see stories everywhere. Then comes the how and when.

To make storytelling a key part of your leadership toolkit, ask yourself questions like:

• How can I use storytelling to change the way I run meetings?

• How can I incorporate it into daily conversations to make others feel seen and heard?

• How can it help me with new initiatives or conflict resolution?

• How can I use it to build a deeper connection with my team?

• What story can I tell to inspire my team toward a new goal?

By being vulnerable and telling more stories (including our own) in daily interactions, we create a workplace where people feel more connected, motivated, and part of something bigger.

We’ll not only build stronger relationships but a more engaging, psychologically safe, and collaborative environment.

→ What's one way you can integrate storytelling into your daily work routine?

What we’re learning this week

• 🎙️ Podcast: How many people could write a book called “Tough Titties” and make it a hit? – Only award-winning copywriter Laura Belgray could pull it off. In this podcast episode, Laura discusses how we can all step into our voices and why you need to start pitching yourself.

• 🎙️ Podcast: Couldn’t talk about storytelling without mentioning the Godfather himself, Seth Godin – In this podcast episode with Marie Forleo, Seth, who's one of the most prolific writers on the planet with 19 bestselling books, makes the case for why creativity is not a feeling but an action that needs to be nurtured daily. Big thanks to Kax from our LIP community for this 🔥 recommendation.

• 📺 YouTube video: A great TED talk about our "Social brain" by Neuroscientist Matthew Lieberman – Matthew breaks down the superpowers of our social brain and reveals how building social intuition can lead to a smarter, happier, and more productive life. It's a perfect fit with our theme of connection and storytelling 💕

What we’re enjoying this week

👀

That’s it for this week — thanks for reading.

See you next Thursday! 🤸‍♀️