Crafting Your Personal Narrative for Authentic Executive Presence

Every great leader has a story — but not every leader knows how to tell it. This free worksheet helps executives craft a compelling personal narrative that blends authentic leadership presence with meaningful life experience. Whether you're preparing for a panel, refining your LinkedIn bio, or introducing yourself to a new team, this guide walks you step-by-step through reflection, storytelling structure, and practice — with simple, approachable prompts you can use in ChatGPT (even if you're brand new to it).

✨ Getting Started with ChatGPT

Welcome! This worksheet is designed to help you reflect on your personal history and leadership identity — and turn it into a powerful, authentic executive narrative.

You'll be guided step-by-step, and you can use ChatGPT at any point to help you brainstorm, write, or refine what you come up with.

Try starting with this simple prompt:

Hi! I want to work on my personal narrative as an executive. I'd like it to reflect both my leadership style and my personal history. Can you guide me through a few reflection prompts to get started?

🔍 Step 1: Reflect on Your Story

Part A: Personal History
Use the prompts below to explore the personal side of your leadership.

  • What experiences shaped who I am today?

  • Were there people (parents, teachers, bosses) who taught me lasting values?

  • Did I learn anything important from struggle, change, or failure?

  • What motivated me when I was younger that still drives me?

Tip: Use ChatGPT to help spark memory
Prompt:

"Help me reflect on key life moments that shaped who I am as a leader. Ask me a few prompts to explore my personal history and values."

Part B: Leadership Identity
Consider how your personal history shows up in the way you lead.

  • What do people count on me for at work?

  • What do I believe makes a great leader?

  • What leadership moment am I most proud of?

  • How do I want people to feel after working with me?

Ask ChatGPT to help define your leadership style:
Prompt:

"Based on my answers, can you help me describe my leadership style in a few sentences, using plain but strong language?"

📊 Step 2: Build Your Narrative Structure

Use these 5 building blocks to structure your story. You can write a short version (1 paragraph) or longer (1-2 minutes spoken).

  1. Where I come from – A brief origin or values stor

  2. How I grew – Key career experiences or turning points

  3. Who I am now – Your current leadership identity

  4. What drives me – Mission, purpose, or impact

  5. What’s next – Vision for the future

Ask ChatGPT to help build it out:
Prompt:

"Here are some notes I wrote about my personal and leadership journey. Can you help turn this into a cohesive narrative using the 5-part structure?"

✍️ Step 3: Refine Your Words

Once you've drafted your story, you can ask ChatGPT:

Prompt:

"Can you help me refine this narrative to sound more natural, confident, and authentic—like something I'd actually say out loud?"

You can also tailor it for different tones:

"Make it more conversational / bold / humble / inspiring."

🎤 Step 4: Use It with Intention

Think about where and how this narrative can serve you:

  • Leadership bios or introductions

  • Team meetings or town halls

  • Conferences or panel appearances

  • LinkedIn profile

Ask ChatGPT for versions tailored to different uses:
Prompt:

"Can you create a version of this story that works as a 30-second elevator pitch?"

Prompt:

"Turn this into a LinkedIn About section."

🎬 Step 5: Practice Your Storytelling

Now that you’ve crafted your personal narrative, it’s time to bring it to life.

Try These Practice Activities:

1. Speak It Aloud

  • Read your narrative out loud to yourself.

  • Notice where it flows naturally — or feels clunky.

  • Use ChatGPT:

“Here’s my narrative. Can you help me make it sound more conversational and natural when spoken aloud?”

2. Record Yourself

  • Use your phone or computer to record yourself sharing your story.

  • Play it back and reflect: Does it sound like you? Would it connect with your audience?

3. Share It with a Trusted Peer

  • Ask for honest feedback: What stood out? What felt authentic? What could be clearer?

4. Practice in Low-Stakes Settings

 Try adapting your story for:

  • A team check-in

  • A coffee chat with a new colleague

  • A mentoring conversation

5. Use ChatGPT to Simulate Audiences

 Prompt:

“Help me adapt my narrative for a panel introduction to senior leaders.”
“Give me feedback as if you were a new employee hearing this for the first time.”