Transforming leadership learning into a published legacy through the Story Challenge
Transforming leadership learning into a published legacy through the Story Challenge
Design Case Study | #professional-services
Context & challenges
INSPIRE is a leadership development programme designed to help emerging leaders grow with confidence, clarity, and impact. It goes beyond traditional training by combining practical skills, reflective exercises, and experiential learning to build leadership behaviours that last.
At the heart of this journey sits something a little different: the Story Challenge.
Over two days, participants are invited to stretch their leadership muscles in new ways by exploring the power of authentic storytelling.
On day one, they dive into the craft — what makes a great narrative, how to use voice and vulnerability, and how to connect personal values with meaningful messages.
By day two, it’s time to put it into practice and write their own leadership story. Not a speech. Not a list of bullet points. A real story.
From Story to Studio
Here’s where the creative twist came in. Instead of filing these stories away, we turned them into a professionally designed book.
Each participant’s story became a personal chapter — honest, human, and proud.
The design process honoured each author’s individuality. Every page was crafted with intention, using rhythm, pacing, and white space to mirror the emotional flow of the narrative. The aesthetic was bold and fresh — part leadership manifesto, part creative journal — something you’d want to keep and revisit, not just flick through once.
Results
The result was more than a creative exercise — it became a defining moment in the INSPIRE programme.
Participants saw themselves not just as learners, but as leaders with a voice. For many, it was the first time they’d put their story into words and seen it shared in such a meaningful way.
The book served as a tangible reminder of their growth and impact, reinforcing the lessons of INSPIRE long after the programme ended.
What We Learned
- Storytelling uncovers insights from every corner of the organisation — no matter someone’s level or function.
- Design makes a difference. When the presentation is as thoughtful as the message, it amplifies the impact.
- When leaders create something themselves, it sticks. Crafting and publishing their own stories led to deeper reflection than traditional leadership tools alone.
