Lead with a Story

Introduction

“Long before the first formal business was established . . . the six most powerful words in any language were Let me tell you a story.”¹

—MATHEWS & WACKER, What’s Your Story

WHEN JAYSON ZOLLER WAS A COLLEGE STUDENT, one of his favorite professors told the class a story so compelling Jayson is still retelling it two decades later. Apparently the professor’s students from a previous class had an unusual project working for a local district judge. The assignment: Investigate the jury deliberation process and determine how to improve it. As young, idealistic college students, his young team was excited to tackle such a noble mission.

The students interviewed dozens of judges, attorneys, former jurors, and other court officials around ...