✨ Looking to deepen trust in your leadership? Start with a story. (025)

When was the last time a story changed your mind or opened your heart?

Chances are, it wasn’t a spreadsheet, slide deck, or Teams message.
It was a moment. A voice. A feeling. A story.

Whether you’re leading a team through change, pitching a bold idea, or trying to reconnect to your purpose…

Stories are the currency of trust.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a polished speaker or bestselling author to tell a good one. You just need to be human.

Why do stories work?

Our brain is a story addict.
It craves narrative like it craves sugar or dopamine.

When we hear a compelling story, the brain releases oxytocin (the trust hormone), along with dopamine and cortisol, which enhance attention, memory, and emotional engagement.

“Stories activate more areas of the brain than facts alone — including those responsible for empathy, memory, and even decision-making.”
— The Neuroscience of Storytelling

In her book The Perfect Story, Karen Eber explains why stories aren’t just remembered — they’re felt. Here are three storytelling truths she shares:

3 Nuggets to Help You Tell Better Stories

1. The best stories aren’t about you — they’re for your audience.
Start by asking: What do I want them to think, feel, or do after hearing this?

2. Structure beats spontaneity.
Great stories follow a familiar pattern:

Context → Conflict → Outcome → Takeaway

3. Emotion makes stories sticky.
Logic makes us think.
Emotion makes us act.
A well-told story activates empathy and builds trust in a way no fact sheet can.

Speaking of trust...This week, I attended a two-day workshop on inspirational leadership. One line really stayed with me:

“Trust isn’t built in a single moment. It’s built in hundreds of small ones.”

And it brought up a story I don’t often tell…“You Are Too Emotional…”

Photo by Олег Мороз on Unsplash

It happened at an office town hall meeting when I was working for a government agency. I have just voiced a concern, a safety issue that would significantly impact our people.

I wasn’t shouting. I wasn’t crying. But my voice trembled — just slightly. Because I cared.

Afterwards, a senior leader pulled me aside and said with a tight smile, “You’re too emotional about this. Try to stay objective.”

I nodded. But inside, I froze.
The message was clear: Caring out loud is risky here.

So, I tried to dial it down.
Stuck to the facts.
Hid the shake in my voice.

I told myself that professionalism meant neutrality.

But here’s what I’ve learned since. Behind the label “too emotional” was something powerful - the ability to feel, notice, and connect.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

It was the part of me that noticed the human impact behind the policy.
The part that made me a trusted colleague, a thoughtful coach, a leader who listens.

Now, I don’t try to erase that part of me.
I honour it. I use it.

Because when channeled wisely, emotion isn’t weakness.
It’s data. It’s direction. It’s depth.

And the right people? They don’t flinch when they see it.
They lean in.

It is in these moments, the shaky-voiced ones, the quiet decisions to keep caring are where trust takes root.

That’s why I’m now compiling short stories from my own lived experience and working life not to impress, but to connect.
To inspire.
To build trust.

🔦 Your Turn

What story are you sitting on that could change how people see you?

It doesn’t have to be dramatic.
It doesn’t have to be long.
It just has to be real.

This week’s nudge:

Before your next team meeting, 1:1, or email update — pause and ask:

“Whay story could help build trust in this context?”

Because trust isn’t built in a single moment.
It’s built in the stories we choose to share, one small moment at a time.

Closing with Kindness

I have a gift for you.

Download a free Trust-Building Story Worksheet. Use this worksheet to capture those small moments and turn them into meaningful stories that inspire trust, foster connection, and reveal who you are as a leader.

✅ Reflect on meaningful micro-moments from your personal and professional life
✅ Uncover the hidden values and strengths within each story
✅ Build deeper trust with your team, clients, peers, or audience
✅ Use storytelling as a tool for connection — not performance

To your spark,

Mary

Burn Bright Coach

www.maryvazcoaching.com

P.S. Know someone who would benefit from this message? Forward this along.

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