Lead With a Story: The Power of Storytelling to Build Community

By Michelle Worthington

This book acknowledges a greater emphasis on storytelling to build community, especially in the modern world. With the rise of individualism and self-imposed isolation, we are now living in a society that places less and less value in community. This book contains authentic words from leaders in the community who are using their own personal jou

• Language: English
• Publisher: Share Your Story
• Release date: Jan 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9780648227052

Michelle Worthington

Michelle Worthington is an international award-winning author, screenwriter and business woman. Shortlisted twice for the Children's Book Council of Australia's picture book of the year, two-time winner of the International Book Award and finalist in the USA Best Book Awards, Michelle also received a Gellett Burgess Award and a Silver Moonbeam Award for her contribution to celebrating diversity in literature. Michelle is dedicated to encouraging a strong love of reading and writing in young children and enjoys working with charities that support the vision of empowering youth through education. Author currently resides in Sheldon, QLD.

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Lead with A Story

Published 2019 by Share Your Story

Copyright © 2019 Michelle Worthington

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher.

Disclaimer:

Every effort has been made to ensure that this book is free from error or omissions. Information provided is of general nature only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. The intent is to offer a variety of information to the reader. However, the author, publisher, editor or their agents or representatives shall not accept responsibility for any loss or inconvenience caused to a person or organisation relying on this information.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia.

Book cover design and formatting services by BookCoverCafe.com

www.sharingyourstory.com.au

ISBN:978-0-6-482270-5-2 (eBk)

Contents

Introduction

Section 1 Storytelling and Community

1 Origins

2 History

3 Community

4 Story

5 Systems

Section 2 Storytelling Structure

6 Beginning

7 Middle

8 End

Section 3 Leadership

9 Engagement

10 Empowerment

11 Enlightenment

About the Author

Introduction

In my professional life, I have worked with leaders in finance, publishing and retail. None of these leaders taught me how to build loyalty, strengthen identity or live my values. I learned the best lessons from the people I meet every day that are working to make a better life for themselves and their families.

This book is intended for the brave who know there is more to life than what they are currently experiencing. They long to create something enriching, satisfying and meaningful. They want to make a difference.

It is only because I felt so disempowered for so long that I am now able to write this book. I’ve cried your tears. I’ve had your dark thoughts. I’ve lived on autopilot for far too many years.

The solution was to find something I loved to do, and do it with all of my heart. Then I decided to invite others to join me.

One thing I have learnt in my life is that things are changing faster than they ever have before. Individuals have never been more empowered, or lonelier. Being part of a like-minded community has had a profound and positive effect on my physical and mental health. The happiness of our fellow humans matters; when we do find others who share our values there is unlimited opportunity for growth. We can be vulnerable, and still know we belong. I was building the community I never knew I needed, but now couldn’t live without.

As a community leader, you will establish a strong foundation that can take the weight of both work and family life. This book is aimed at helping to establish what you stand for before you plant your feet. But most of all, it is to remind you to have fun.

When you think of the book Robinson Crusoe, the story of a man stranded alone on an island, community is not an immediate theme that comes to mind. However, it is the absence of community that proves to be the greatest antagonist to our character, Robinson Crusoe. All readers of the story remember how interested they were in the way in which he manages to supply himself with shelter, tools, furniture, food, clothing and everything he needs for living alone on an uninhabited desert island. In the terrible storm that washes him ashore, he loses everything except the clothes he is wearing. He retrieves tools, weapons and grain from the wrecked ship and gathers food as he finds it. He builds himself a house and makes clothing. He is able to lead a comfortable life, but despite his abilities in these areas, he cannot overcome his loneliness.

For Crusoe, his work is meaningless if he has no one to share it with. Ultimately, Crusoe finds companionship with a cannibal captive whom he calls Friday. It is an awkward relationship at first, due to language barriers, showing the importance of language in building relationships, but eventually Crusoe and Friday become friends. Crusoe abandons the prejudices of his day with regard to Friday, and later, for the sake of community, toward the Catholic