Your Leadership Story

CHAPTER IIIThe Narrative Arc

Let’s pause for a moment here. We’ve discussed the elements common to any story, and your leadership story can’t be an interesting one unless it covers those basic elements. What’s more, it won’t be much of a story unless it has a beginning, middle, and end—a timeline. This is called a narrative arc, with rising action that reaches a big turning point, or climax, and descending action. Movies follow the same pattern, or we wouldn’t be eager to see that next film.

Your arc should lead to a high point in your career when everything comes together. Now is the time to think about where you want to go with your leadership—or your purpose—and how you are going to get there—or your path. Your arc weaves its way through all ...