Leaders all have stories—the events, perspectives, and behaviors that constitute who they are—but few are aware of what that story is or what is says about them. Leadership development expert Tim Tobin show how, by thinking of themselves as literally writing a story —with a plot, theme, characters, and an arc—leaders can take control of their story and become more effective, insightful, and inspiring.

• Fresh perspective: Tobin shows how, by looking at your leadership career as a story-with a plot, characters, and a message-you can become more aware of who you are as a leader, how others perceive you, and what you can do to have greater impact.
• Expert author: Tobin is the vice president of Global Learning and Leadership Development at Marriott International, overseeing leadership development for all of its leaders, managers, and executives-he has over twenty years of experience helping organizations build effective leadership programs.

Stories have power. They move people in a way that facts and figures can't. Many leaders use stories as a tool, but leadership development expert Tim Tobin says most have no idea what tale their own leadership is telling. He shows how, by thinking of your career as a narrative-with a plot, characters, and an arc-you can increase your awareness of yourself as a leader and become more effective, insightful, and inspiring.

Using story as both a metaphor and a process for self-development, Tobin offers activities and questions that help you better understand your own leadership and how others perceive it. What is the plot of your leadership story-your overall goals and purpose? Who are the main characters and what roles do they play? How have the settings of your story influenced it? ow havWhat are the conflicts that you need to resolve to move toward the ending you intend? Once you have a thorough grasp of your leadership story, Tobin gives detailed advice on communicating it-when, where, and how.

Taking control of your leadership story enables you to more consciously shape the impact you have in the world. You'll be better equipped to make decisions, choose actions that tell the story you want to tell, and ensure that you become the kind of leader you want to be.