Abstract
​People often think of fiction when they think of the term storytelling, but storytelling can be a powerful leadership tool. Consider that not all storytelling is fiction, and not all leaders who use storytelling are untruthful politicians. Often transformational leaders are considered charismatic simply because they have a way of connecting with their audience (Northouse, 2022). While Northouse (2022) may describe charisma with terms like “divine,” it may not only be the leader’s personality or charismatic nature that innately connects with followers—it could actually be the power of story. Humans are wired to attune to story: it is woven into their DNA and the way their brain works (Schank & Abelson, 1995). Two historical leaders who successfully used storytelling in their endeavors were Martin Luther King, Jr., and Steve Jobs. Both were highly influential and successful leaders. This paper describes how storytelling and leadership are not such disparate concepts. Using Northouse’s text as a guide, I examine transformational leadership through the lens of storytelling based on examples from King and Jobs.