AFLA Conference Archives-Epic Success on Shifting Sands

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Video Summary

Steve Donahue, a best-selling author and filmmaker, delivered a compelling speech about the necessity of epic storytelling in leadership and organizations, using his profound Sahara Desert adventure as a backdrop. He argued that 'narrative intelligence' is crucial, akin to rhythm, as everyone has the ability to tell and live a story. He connected the components of epic narratives—hero, quest, battle, guide, and companions—to successful companies like KPMG, illustrating how storytelling can drive organizational excellence.<br /><br />Donahue shared his Sahara experience, emphasizing that setting a quest, recognizing battles, and identifying roles within teams can create significant impacts. By framing adventures and business challenges as epic stories, participants can engage in transformative narratives, strengthening teams and invigorating corporate missions. He highlighted that storytelling creates realities, as seen when recounting stories of relatable fictional characters and impactful true stories from companies that thrive on epic frameworks.<br /><br />Through audience interaction, Donahue underlined the importance of having a clear quest and focusing on impactful battles. He also addressed the role of storytelling in the sports industry and encouraged others to apply similar frameworks in business for enhanced engagement and success. Concluding with his own life lessons, Steve demonstrated how embracing one's role in the story can lead to personal and professional growth, emphasizing the universal appeal and power of epic storytelling in various facets of life and work.

Asset Subtitle

Steve Donahue

Meta Tag

Location Orlando, FL

Year 2018

Keywords

Steve Donahue

epic storytelling

narrative intelligence

Sahara Desert

leadership

organizational excellence

hero

quest

transformative narratives

corporate missions

storytelling in business

personal growth

Orlando, FL

2018