Author and orator John Maxwell teaches that every great communicator knows who and what has shaped them. The experiences, people, and challenges that have influenced your development are not just memories — they form your backstory. And your backstory is foundational to your leadership.
At its core, sharing your influences means you’re willing to reflect on what life has taught you — and to pass on the wisdom you’ve gained through those lessons. When leaders embrace this process, they not only grow personally and professionally but also communicate with greater authenticity and connection.
Why Your Backstory Matters
Understanding and articulating your influences offers several benefits:
– Learning and Growth
Reflecting on your past helps clarify the values and experiences that shape your leadership style. This awareness brings intentionality to your leadership today.
– Engagement
When you identify and share defining experiences — the roadblocks you’ve overcome, the mentors who guided you — you create powerful connection points with your team.
– Inspiration and Motivation
Acknowledging those who shaped you fuels a sense of purpose and gratitude. It reminds you why you do what you do and motivates you to lead with impact.
– Humility and Gratitude
Leaders who recognize the influence of others are often more grounded and appreciative. They lead with a sense of shared success and responsibility.
Go Back and Fetch It
The West African word “Sankofa” (SAN-KO-FA) means “go back and fetch it.” It encourages us to revisit the past in order to gather wisdom for the future. In leadership, this means reaching back into your early experiences, understanding what shaped you, and bringing those lessons forward to strengthen your voice and purpose.
This is not about nostalgia — it’s about discovery. When you engage deeply with your own story, you begin to uncover the values, trials, and triumphs that continue to guide your path.
Use the Interact Backstory Worksheet
To begin this reflective process, download and use the Interact Studio Backstory Worksheet. It includes five key focus areas. Don’t overthink your responses. Simply jot down short, honest answers as they come to you. The goal is to start capturing the key threads of your story.
The Five Focus Areas for Uncovering Your Backstory
- Geography. Where were you raised? How did your hometown’s traits, culture, or history influence you? If you moved often, what did that teach you?
- Family. What was your family dynamic like? How many siblings do you have? Where do you fall in the birth order? What did you learn from your role in the family?
- Parent Talents. What were your parents’ talents or career paths? What dreams did they have for you? In what ways are you like or unlike them?
- Role Models. Who made a lasting impact on you — a teacher, coach, sibling, friend? What did they teach you about leadership or character?
- Early Interests. What subjects, sports, or hobbies captured your attention as a child or teen? What did you love about them? What successes or setbacks did you experience?
Let Go of Judging the Process
It’s easy to dismiss this kind of self-reflection as “touchy-feely” or unnecessary. But leadership is not a cold, mechanical process — it’s personal. And your personal story is a powerful tool. It’s how you connect, inspire, and lead with purpose.
You might feel your story is “too ordinary” or “too messy” — but that’s the trap of pre-judgment. Every story has value. Some lessons come through quiet consistency; others through hardship. Either way, your story has shaped how you see the world and how you lead within it.
You don’t need to write a memoir. Just give yourself the space to reflect. Answer the worksheet questions honestly, and let your most resonant memories surface. Over time, you’ll notice that two or three focus areas stir stronger emotions — these are rich sources of storytelling and insight.
Your Story Is the Bridge
The more you understand your backstory, the better equipped you are to lead others. It becomes a source of clarity, empathy, and authenticity. Your story doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful — it just has to be true.
So go back. Fetch what matters. And bring it forward into your leadership.
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