S4E3: Michael Margolis, CEO Storied, Author Story 10X - Building Narrative, Influencing at Scale

In this engaging conversation, Michael Margolis, CEO of Storied and Author of Story 10X, shares his unique journey to storytelling expert, emphasizing the importance of narrative in leadership and product management. Michael is a thought provoking storyteller, who has tranied product, data and go-to-market teams at companies such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, NASA, SAP, Salesforce, Uber .. the list goes on. He is also the author two books, Story 10X Turning the Impossible into the Inevitable and Believe Me, a storytelling manifesto for innovators and change-makers. 

In this episode Michael discusses the distinction between storytelling and narrative, the significance of understanding the language of business, and the role of soft skills in effective leadership. Margolis introduces the SFB Narrative Method as a framework for influencing others and highlights the importance of listening and understanding assumptions in communication. The discussion culminates in the exploration of influence archetypes and the necessity of aligning expectations to foster better relationships in professional settings.

Key Highlights:

• Storytelling is about the narrative, not just anecdotes.
• Learning the language of business is crucial for success.
• Soft skills are essential for leadership progression.
• Influencing requires a future-first approach.
• Listening is key to understanding and influence.
• Crafting narratives is vital for executive buy-in.
• The SFB Narrative Method helps structure influence efforts.
• Understanding influence archetypes can enhance communication.
• Aligning expectations is critical for relationship success.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmargolis/

Connect with Rahul Abhyankar:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulabhyankar 

References in this episode:

• Company: Storied
• Book: The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
• Book: Unleashing the Idea Virus by Seth Godin
• Book: The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
• Book: Story 10X by Michael Margolis
• Book: Believe Me by Michael Margolis