Notes on Resilience 128: Stories as Lifeblood: Unlocking Human Connection with James Warren
"We have more information than ever and less knowledge. We talk at each other more than ever and we're less connected."
James Warren, founder and CEO of Share More Stories, takes us on a journey through the transformative power of stories as the lifeblood of the human experience. He reveals how storytelling creates three essential benefits for organizations: enhanced self-awareness for leaders, strengthened empathy through neurological connection, and accelerated collective learning. Our brains are literally wired for narrative, activating empathic responses that bridge differences and create shared understanding.
He describes the ecosystem involving the teller, the listener, and the story that requires psychological safety to flourish. When we share vulnerably, a transformative alchemy occurs—a rising tide of empathy where both parties want to be heard and develop enhanced capacity to hear others. This directly addresses what Maya Angelou called "the agony of bearing an untold story inside you."
As workplaces increasingly function as communities, Warren challenges leaders to reconsider the fundamental value proposition of work itself. Organizations demanding more while offering less security and community face unsustainable imbalances. The path forward requires leaders who understand that profitability and human-centered approaches aren't contradictory but complementary strategies for lasting success.
Ready to transform your organization through the power of story? Listen now to discover how compassionate leadership creates workplaces where people genuinely belong. Then share your thoughts—what story are you waiting to tell?
James Warren is the Founder and CEO of Share More Stories, a human experience insights company that built the SEEQ Platform to uncover emotional drivers behind employee and customer experiences. He is a researcher, strategist, writer and facilitator who blends storytelling, AI, and insights to help organizations better understand themselves, their customers, and their communities.
You can learn more about Share More Stories on their website, connect with James on LinkedIn, or email him at: james@sharemorestories.com
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Producer / Editor: Neel Panji
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