Esther Choy, Author at Leadership Story Lab

Best Practices for Performance Reviews: 12 Tips

Performance reviews can be nerve-wracking for everyone involved. Massive career decisions hinge on the results. When we are the ones being evaluated, can we make the process less anxiety-inducing? More importantly, are there ways we can make sure our accomplishments get the notice they deserve? Fortunately, the answer to both questions is a resounding “yes”–…

The Best Storytelling Technique For Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

As you advance as a leader, people will often ask you to offer intelligent opinions on subjects you know very little about. And you will often need to hold your own with experts and ask them astute questions. You may feel like you need to earn a Ph.D. before you dare to offer an opinion…

The Shocking Secret To Telling Brief And Brilliant True Stories Within the Job Interview Format

Telling brief, relevant and compelling stories during a job interview sets you apart from your competition. However, the reality is that job interviews have many constraints. There’s a set amount of time and an expected script. And, of course, you’re limited by your circumstances. If you’ve recently been laid off, you’ll have to acknowledge this.…

Don’t Overlook These Two Perspectives In The Job Search

When Brent Dykes, a well-known data scientist, was laid off in April, he said it was “one of the worst nights of sleep of my life.” He wondered how he would take care of his family. What sacrifices would they have to make? “Oh, and by the way,” he said, “there’s Covid raging in the…

6 Tips For Telling Personal Stories In Business Without Oversharing

“Being vulnerable makes you relatable.” This is excellent advice for leaders. We’ve all been moved by vulnerable stories from leaders we respect. We learn that Steve Jobs was adopted and never formed a relationship with his biological father. We learn that Oprah grew up so poor her clothing was made from potato sacks. But on the other hand, the…

The Storytelling Secret To Being Concise

You’ve been working on a project for two years. Now you have ten minutes to explain it to a cross-functional team. Or you’ve developed a life-changing product and want to reveal all its complex facets. Your audience doesn’t have a clue how it works. You have five minutes to teach them. Every day, leaders face…

The One Secret To Acing Your Performance Evaluation

Imagine this. It’s the end of the year. Multiple projects are behind schedule and over budget. You have family visiting over the holiday and your family will travel as well. On top of that, you have to prepare to evaluate your team even while you’re preparing for your own performance evaluation. Oh wait, what happened…

To Help People Tell Stories, DON’T Do This

In my house, we don’t watch TV on school nights. Tuesday, September 29, was a noted exception. My youngest, Melia, was especially excited. What could be so special and worthwhile that Mom and Dad would break their own rule? We turned on the TV and… “Shut up, man!” “There’s nothing smart about you.” Melia turned…

We’re Here To Support Your Job Search Success

My daughter turned 12 recently. When I was pregnant with her, a friend asked me, “Are you like… the first female student in the history of Kellogg School of Management to get pregnant?” Alina was born the summer between my first and second year as a full-time MBA student at Northwestern University – Kellogg School…

Want Your Business To Survive The Pandemic? Facilitate Stories.

During Covid, over 72,000 restaurants have permanently closed in the U.S. The National Restaurant Association reports that the industry lost $165 billion in sales between March and July, and that the pandemic has cost over 8 million restaurant employees their jobs. During hard times, companies hunker down, lay off workers, and cut costs. All of this is necessary.…