Define your main character
with the Strategic Story Masterplan
“People won’t be invested in a story if they don’t know who they’re rooting for.”
Before you can begin to tell the story of what you’re doing or what actions you plan to take, you need to take a step back and assess the most important element of the story: the Main Character.
what do you already have that you can use to win?
The story of how you will win begins by understanding where you’re starting from.
Where has your journey taken you so far? What have been the defining moments that shaped your values, your identity and how the world sees you?
The Main Character will be transformed by the story of your strategy.
You as the leader, your team, the rest of your organization - all of you are the main character of your strategic plan. When everyone is give the space to identify themselves as part of the whole, the story of the organization and the story of the individual become one.
Your audience must first be invested in the who of your story before they will invest in the what.
When defining your strategy, begin with what will have the greatest impact on those you want to influence. Your customers, employees, partners and stakeholders want to know who you are and why they should believe in you over the myriad of others like you out there. By defining what sets you apart and why you do what you do, not only will you attract the right people, you will find that your greatest strategic advantage is right under your nose.
the framework
backstory + identity + manifesto = your main character
Define your main character
Unwrap Your Backstory - Document & preserve your origin story and clarify 'why we do what we do'.
Refine Your Identity - Review & revamp your current digital story or digital identity.
Create Your Manifesto - Declare the values & behaviors that are essential to maintain your sense of self & your team culture.
Part 2:
Map Your Motivation
Define Your Audience - Define audience persona(s) & pain points to help shape messages, products & services that keep your clients coming back.
Clarify Your Purpose - Define your North Star to keep you and your team focused on the ‘big why’.
Identify Your Role Models - Identify the leaders, teams & behaviors that serve as examples of your ideal self or team.
Part 3: Set Your Operating Rhythm
Part 3: The
Journey - Set Your Operating Rhythm
Illustrate Your Vision - Define ‘happily ever after’, aka, where you want you and your team to be by the end of the quarter or month. Use imagery to bring the concept of your vision to life.
Plot Your Story - Prioritize the activities that will help achieve your vision. Define the key decisions you will take and what knowledge you will gain along the way.
Track Your Goals - Establish guideposts to keep you on track. Define how you will measure, demonstrate and celebrate progress toward your vision.
Part 4: Establish Your Support System(s)
Part 4:
Establish Your Support System(s)
ID & Focus on High-Value Relationships & Activities - Define the people, processes and technology that will support you and your team on the journey ahead. Develop a plan for implementing new ways of working without overwhelming yourself or your team with too much change all at once.
Focus on High-Value Conversations - Define meeting & communication protocols that transform your meetings from mundane to meaningful and enable you to get more done in less time.
The Strategic Story Masterplan is a story-based strategic planning framework that I developed after 2 decades of leading teams in Fortune 500 companies during periods of major transition and change.
Ideal for teams & organizations in growth mode, the framework provides a story-based visual reference for defining (and redefining) the key elements of a strategic plan or initiative.
With your story as the stabilizing force, your operating rhythm and supporting systems work together to create high-performing, high-functioning teams, projects and programs.
The Strategic Storytelling Masterplan is ideal for, but not limited to teams and leaders with the following characteristics:
who it’s for
Who will get the most benefit from the framework?
For Leaders
Leaders of self
Nonprofit & small business leaders
Product and strategy leaders
Early stage leaders (< 3 years in leadership)
Incoming leaders (<1 year in team or organization)
For Teams
Early stage teams (< 3 years old)
Remote & hybrid teams
Nonprofit & small business teams
Product and strategy teams
Ideal size: 3 - 10 team members
why use it?
What you’ll get from using the framework
The Strategic Storytelling Masterplan can help you or your team:
Plan the launch of a new project, product or program
Create a future vision for your team, business or your personal brand that aligns with your purpose and mission
Measure your quarterly and monthly progress towards achieving your vision
Develop your personal & team development plan to help you and your team members level-up in your careers
Create a more inclusive and open culture that values genuine relationships over internal politics
view the other parts:
