Episode
Why Every Leader Needs Story Discovery Not Just Storytelling with Esther Choy
- Podcast
- Chief Story Officer
- Published
- May 8, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2041
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://chief-story-officer.captivate.fm
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Summary
Esther Choy, CEO and Chief Story Facilitator at Leadership Story Lab, joins the show to challenge the idea that the leader must always be the "sage on stage" and explains why real power lies in helping others uncover and share their own stories. In this episode, we dive into the art of story discovery and why the best leaders are both sage on the stage and guide on the side. Rob D. Willis and Esther Choy unpack how shifting from persuasion to genuine curiosity transforms the way leaders connect, influence, and unlock the hidden stories within their teams. Esther Choy reveals her process for surfacing untold stories, from asking crazy good questions to synthesising meaning without fixating on being “right.” She shares real-world examples, including a CEO who dissolved silos simply by introducing innocuous questions at meetings and a senior leader who learned the power of narrative over technical detail. You'll walk away with practical approaches for uncovering overlooked stories, rituals to foster team trust, and a mindset that champions wonder over certainty. Plus, learn to enter any conversation with a pocketful of questions and a readiness to see things differently. GUEST BIO & LINKS Esther Choy is CEO and Chief Story Facilitator at Leadership Story Lab, a top contributor to Forbes Leadership Strategy Channel, and the author of two leadership books published by HarperCollins, including the newly released Winning Without Persuading . With over 15 years coaching thousands of executives worldwide, Esther equips leaders to move beyond persuasion and unlock the stories that foster team trust and connection. She teaches at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and the University of Zurich, drawing on decades of experience helping clients discover, synthesise, and…