I can’t remember exactly when I first heard the statement: “If it’s too obvious, it can’t be trusted.”

This thought comes to mind when I am speaking with Gabrielle Dolan, a leader I have come to know over the past decade and feel so fortunate to have done so.

The fact that we immediately connected is no surprise. Her leadership builds on the power of story, its nuance, and relatability. Our capacity to draw on personal lessons and learnings to understand self and what’s important to us, whilst developing the confidence to draw on these insights and tell our story to build a deeper connection with others and a commitment to a shared purpose and plan.

Mostly, however, a story’s capacity to express what truly matters, your values and principles, that once told holds you accountable, as your credibility will now be judged by your capacity to live them, especially when it gets hard, as it will.

I doubt, therefore, whether there is a more important skill for leaders than storytelling, including our capacity to tell our own.

I understand this statement would be very challenging, if not confronting, for many leaders.

For more than two decades, Gabrielle has worked with leaders across business, sport, and government, helping them move beyond jargon that can’t be trusted and into meaning that can.

Notebook ready.

Play on.