LIFE’S STORY ASSIGNMENT

People who are willing to share their life’s story with others often find that this simple approach has powerful results. These short, biographical sketches help associates and subordinates understand the leader’s background and “where they are coming from.” These sketches also tend to be easy to remember and strong communicators of the storyteller’s basic beliefs. In this sense, telling your life’s story can be a powerful Level Three Leadership tool. This assignment is designed to help you clarify your Level Three Leadership story and has three parts.

1.  Write your life’s story in 400 words or less. This will require you to condense, focus on the highlights and major events. You can use the blank sheet below if you wish.

2.  In the table on the succeeding page list the key events you mentioned in the 400-word story in the left hand column, one event per row. Then note the extent to which each event was an emotional “up” or “down” or neutral. Then try to summarize the key learning from that event in the third column. How did this experience shape your life? What did it teach you? What did you learn from each experience about leadership? How did this event contribute to your current model of leadership?

3.  Using the blank chart below, chart the key events in your life in terms of their emotional height, chronological from left to right. Then, label the peaks and valleys with the events they represent.

4.  Be prepared to hand this exercise in. The instructor will use this as a chance to get better acquainted with you, but your primary use for this will be at various times and places in the future when, as a leader, you have a need to connect with your people and let them know why you believe what you do and where your motivations come from.

This case was prepared by James G. Clawson. Copyright © 1999 by the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation, Charlottesville, VA. All rights reserved. To order copies, send an e-mail to . No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet or transmitted in any form or by any means--electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise--without the permission of the Darden School Foundation.

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My Life’s Story in 400 Words or Less


My Life’s Story Key Events Table

Key Event

/ Emotional Impact
(-5 to 0 to +5) / Key Learning or Insight

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Life Story Emotional Impact Chart

Adapted from Noel Tichy, The Leadership Engine

+5

0

-5

Time à