MBA FPX 5002 Assessment 3 Using Stories to Build Relationships Establishing Relationships: How Leaders Can Build Relationships and Trust through Storytelling

Establishing Relationships: How Leaders Can Build Relationships and Trust through Storytelling

Effective leadership relies on the ability to motivate and guide employees toward shared objectives (Edinger, 2014). A leader’s capacity to motivate stems from the relationships they form with others. Building relationships is essential for effective leadership because it allows leaders to better understand and collaborate with those around them (Hess, 2018). Leaders can develop trust and relationships with employees by establishing common values, promoting collaboration, and fostering shared commitment (Schaefer, 2015). Storytelling is a powerful tool for expressing and reinforcing these elements (Hess, 2018).

Shared values play a critical role in leadership. Leaders are responsible for motivating people who share similar values to pursue a common goal. Through strong leadership, the company’s vision can become a reality (Kruse, 2013). A company’s vision is rooted in its purpose and values (Hawthorne, 2018). Values form the foundation for organizational objectives and goals. When employee values align with those of the organization, employees are more engaged, and communication becomes clearer (MacFarland, 2013). Southwest Airlines exemplifies the alignment of company and employee values, particularly concerning customer service. Employees are empowered to engage with customers in positive ways, and they are recognized for their efforts. Sharing values facilitates motivation and collaboration among coworkers and across departments (Gallo, 2014).

Collaboration is defined as working together with others to complete a task (“collaborate,” 2018). In business, collaboration is crucial because it enables all parties to work together to achieve the organization’s goals. Collaboration fosters better understanding and teamwork among individuals (Heathfield, 2017). For example, pharmaceutical company UCB maintains its competitive edge through collaboration with its patients, which helps the company develop new strategies for treating diseases. This collaborative approach allows UCB to stay innovative and customer-focused (Turiera & Cros, 2013). In any business scenario, collaboration is essential because it draws on the knowledge and commitment of others to help achieve goals (Goman, 2014).

MBA FPX 5002 Assessment 3 Using Stories to Build Relationships

Commitment is established through personal and professional communication between leaders and employees. These interactions enhance understanding among coworkers, fostering shared values and effective collaboration (Grigoreva, 2017). A workplace culture that promotes shared values and collaboration encourages employees to feel valued, included, and motivated (Thompson, 2017). When leaders demonstrate genuine interest and commitment toward their employees, employees, in turn, commit to the company (Heathfield, 2017). Caterpillar Global Paving exemplifies this commitment through its focus on the long-term health and safety of its employees. This commitment is reinforced through collaboration with Environmental Health and Safety professionals and through employee training and certification (“100 Committed Companies,” 2010). Employees who feel valued are more likely to share the organization’s values (Hall, 2014). Communication, particularly through storytelling, is a powerful way to foster shared values, collaboration, and commitment (Schaefer, 2015).

Storytelling is an effective method for building trust and relationships (Hess, 2018). It involves conveying information while instilling trust and strengthening relationships (“The Ariel Group,” 2011). Compelling stories can alter the listener’s brain chemistry, fostering greater trust and understanding (Zak, 2014). Additionally, storytelling engages emotions, making stories memorable and motivational (Fryer, 2003). Leaders can use storytelling to increase employee engagement by activating the listener’s imagination, allowing them to better experience the story. Effective storytelling expresses the storyteller’s personality, ideas, and values, fostering better relationships between leaders and employees. Through storytelling, leaders build trust, establish shared values, and inspire employees to work toward common goals (Schaefer, 2015).

MBA FPX 5002 Assessment 3 Using Stories to Build Relationships

Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS, uses storytelling to communicate his values, build relationships, and motivate stakeholders (“Blake Mycoskie,” n.d.). His business model is built around a compelling story that appeals to people’s emotions. Mycoskie shares the story of his visit to Argentina, where he observed the challenges children faced due to a lack of shoes. This experience inspired him to create a for-profit business with a charitable compo