How Do You Tell Your Story? ✏️


Dear Reader,

I grew up in a family that didn't tell stories. That's not entirely true. The women didn't; we were fast and furious. We would never debrief movies before watching the next one. We'd plan the next vacation while on the current one. But then, there's the men. They tended to be long-winded, elaborate storytellers, sharing yarns of yesteryear that I cared nothing about. I thought I hated stories.

Until I was asked to come up with my own as a trainer. Now, it's my hardest-won leadership skill; I've had to muscle it out, and it worked. Now I've gone on to write a book about it. I just learned yesterday that it will launch on November. I can't wait to share it with you. What's the book you would (or did) write? I will read and respond personally to every response. ❤️

📚 Resources

Blog. I love to travel and learn about people and cultures. This summer I went to Fiji: check out the last 3 blogs if you want. Did you know that Fiji’s island of Taveuni crosses the International Date Line—stand in today and tomorrow at once, and that in Fiji, raising your eyebrows means “yes”?

Programs. And they're off! The STEP (Successful Transition Empowerment Program) participants for the public sector are off and running on August 8. Watching a cohort bond and learn together is one of my favorite things.

Support. How do you get support? We offer 5 levels of support (executive, mid-level, new leader, department, and organization), and today we are highlighting our Leadership Leap Program. Did you ever transition from peer to leader? It's hard. Really hard. This program helps.

- Julie

💌 Stories from Our Team

Do you believe that business managers are the backbone of teams? I do. And not to brag, but we've got the best one. Have you met her via email? Did you know she lives in Maryland? Read on to learn about Courtney Broughton's wild journey and what makes her tick.

Looking to improve team dynamics in the public sector? This short guide from Judy Tincher walks through practical, cost-free ways to strengthen clarity, trust, and collaboration, especially in resource-limited environments.

🩵 A Thought from the Inside:
Storytelling isn’t always natural, but it’s a skill you can earn. Real connection starts when you stop rushing and begin revealing.

With gratitude, Julie Lancaster (& team)

Will you join us?

Join our mailing list to receive monthly newsletters and updates on upcoming courses. We share our Leadership Toolbox, Resources and more!

Read more from Will you join us?

Dear Reader, Do you ever underestimate your impact? I do. But then a week ago, I received this. "In a 2020 training, you discussed the toxicity of gossip and how to identify gossip. It resonated so deeply with me that it led me to reexamine the conversations I choose to have and call out both myself and my coworkers when conversations veer into gossip. As a leadership team, we are really wrestling with the divisiveness of gossip and cliques in my work group right now, and I have repeated your...

Dear Reader, We were in the boss’s living room and were about to have a leadership team retreat. Just 7 people on this health services team. I love these cozy, informal-feeling retreats. The topic to address was feedback. They wanted to create a culture of feedback seeking, and they were concerned that so many of their staff seemed defensive when receiving feedback, and then some would gossip about it; lots of indirect communication. I asked 2 questions. Do you give more positive or...

Dear Reader, I’m sitting in our medical lab, about to host our monthly team meeting. Twenty faculty members are cramming in between their classes for this meeting. I’m the dean of education, and we have no proper meeting room, so here we are. This is 18 years ago. This is the same lab where I have been asked to do things not in my job description, like give blood for phlebotomy students learning to use needles and urine to test. Thank goodness they never gave me a surprise pregnancy...