3 Storytelling Questions Leaders Miss That Build Buy-In for High-Stakes Meetings
Reading Time: 3 mins
As a leader or executive, you’ve likely faced resistance in high-stakes meetings, even when your vision or project is backed by data or industry reports. The lack of buy-in isn’t always about the facts; it’s about the story behind them.
While I was facilitating a group coaching session as part of a 3-year visioning process with a leader and their team, one dynamic surfaced. Not all team members were comfortable with moving forward amidst heavy workloads in a fast-changing and an uncertain environment.
The missing piece? A meaning gap - a compelling story to help team members or key stakeholders to make sense of the bigger picture.
💡Pro tip: People don’t just follow strategies or plans - they follow leaders who communicate compelling narratives with impact - stories that help them understand why change matters, why now, and their role in the process or decision.
Through asking questions, we co-created a persuasive story that inspired action. If you are a project leader or executive who wants to build team alignment and buy-in, here are 3 impactful questions to guide you in crafting a compelling narrative when the stakes are high:
💡1. What’s at stake if we do nothing or delay?
Build curiosity.
People resist change when they don’t understand the real stakes or story behind the story. Instead of sharing more data, paint a picture of business as usual and the consequences of inaction. Share a story that illustrates the challenges or lost opportunities to make the stakes more meaningful.
💡2. What story best illustrates my team's why or capability to get through this challenge?
Create connection.
Buy-in happens when people see themselves in the story. When people see themselves as characters who can make impact, they are likely to support your vision and the project's success. Use key messages that highlight your team's superpowers to navigate headwinds. Make your team the hero of the story.
💡3. What's in it for you when you take the 1% step?
Spark commitment.
Make the big small. Big changes can feel overwhelming, fueling fear of failure or being left behind. End the story with a concrete call to action that makes progress feel like a win-win.
By honing the skill of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with your team, you can effectively build buy-in for your high-stakes meetings to move your vision or project forward.
💡Pro tip: Executive presence isn’t about saying more—it’s about saying less with more impact.
Want to master the skill of storytelling for leading high-impact teams or projects?
Take these three (3) steps:
1) Follow me on LinkedIn for coaching insights on communicating with confidence, influence, and impact as a leader, presenting with confidence and impact, or engaging stakeholders to gain buy in and clarity towards a shared vision.
2) Are you a mid-to-senior leader or executive seeking to drive meaningful impact in your organization or community?
Consider joining Impact Plus Consulting's Speak to Lead™ program starting May 22, 2025, where you can craft powerful openings, compelling narratives, and deliver impactful presentations that move your organization or community forward.
Impact Plus offers a Speak to Lead™ program scholarship that covers 50% of the investment for the Professional Package. Apply via our scholarship page if you are interested in joining the Speak to Lead program. Limited spots are available.
3) Share this blog post on social media or via email with a friend or colleague, if you found this valuable.
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