At Narativ’s latest Leadership Story Talks Live, we gathered once again not for polished speeches or leadership frameworks, but for something far more human: stories.
Three storytellers — Kelly Skwarcan, Christy Prezinger, and Jen Mueller — shared deeply personal moments that shaped how they lead, communicate, and show up in the world. Together, their stories reminded us that leadership is often forged not in moments of triumph, but in moments of vulnerability, uncertainty, and human connection.
What unfolded wasn’t a performance. It was a shared act of listening.
Leadership in the Middle of Uncertainty
Kelly Skwarcan opened the event with a story about purpose, integrity, and unexpected disruption.
As the creator of a leadership case study rooted in the Titanic disaster and moral decision-making, Kelly had spent years building relationships within ROTC programs across the country. Her work focused on preparing future military leaders to navigate high-stakes ethical decisions with character and accountability.
Then, at the height of that momentum, everything changed.
While traveling after a successful presentation, Kelly received an email containing false accusations that threatened both her work and her reputation. The experience forced her to step away from a mission she deeply believed in.
But rather than framing the story as a defeat, Kelly shared something more nuanced: what it means to remain grounded in your values when circumstances shift beyond your control.
“I want to be the kind of person who seeks truth and takes ownership, who welcomes the contributions of others, and who communicates with clarity and respect.”
Her story became a reflection on leadership not as certainty, but as alignment between actions and values — especially when the future is unclear.
From Criticism to Kindness
Christy Pretzinger’s story explored how the messages we absorb early in life can quietly shape our leadership for decades.
She reflected on childhood comments about perfection and comparison — comments that eventually became an internal voice constantly reminding her she wasn’t enough.
Years later, while building her company, WG Content, Christy realized that her commitment to creating a people-first workplace was deeply connected to those early experiences. She wanted every employee to know they mattered because she knew firsthand what it felt like to question your worth.
What emerged was not just a successful business, but a culture rooted in empathy, flexibility, and humanity.
“The point for me really was that I don’t have to be perfect because I can strive to be better. Better is a direction.”
It was a powerful reminder that leadership often grows from the places where we’ve experienced pain ourselves. And when leaders choose awareness over shame, they create environments where others can thrive too.
Making Space for Someone Else’s Moment
Sports broadcaster Jen Mueller brought us into a completely different world — the dugouts, sidelines, and postgame chaos of professional sports.
After nearly two decades interviewing athletes, Jen reflected on one particular moment with a little-known baseball player named Ryan Court, whose brief stint in Major League Baseball represented the culmination of nine years of persistence in the minor leagues.
Jen realized in that moment that this wasn’t just another interview. It might be the only televised moment of Ryan’s career. So instead of focusing solely on stats and performance, she chose to center the emotional significance of the moment itself.
As teammates prepared a surprise Gatorade bath behind the scenes, Jen intentionally stepped aside at just the right moment to ensure Ryan’s joy filled the screen.
“I want to make sure people around me get 100 percent of my effort so they can feel 100 percent proud.”
Her story beautifully illustrated a different kind of leadership — one rooted in generosity, attention, and the willingness to shine the spotlight on someone else.
What Happens When We Truly Listen
One of the themes that emerged repeatedly throughout the event was the idea that stories only come alive through listening.
At Narativ, we often say that storytelling doesn’t begin with speaking. It begins with creating the conditions where someone feels safe enough to tell the truth.
That truth showed up in many forms during this event:
- in Kelly’s courage to share a story she’s still living through,
- in Christy’s willingness to revisit painful childhood experiences,
- and in Jen’s ability to recognize the significance of a fleeting moment for someone else.
These stories reminded us that leadership is not about perfection or performance. It’s about presence.
And perhaps most importantly, they reminded us that every interaction — every conversation, every interview, every moment of support — carries the potential to shape someone’s story forever.
LISTEN to the stories HERE
Leadership Story Talks Live returns every other month as part of Narativ’s ongoing exploration of storytelling, listening, and human connection in leadership. To learn more about future events, workshops, and our Listening Lab community, visit Narativ.com.
Here’s a link to the LISTENING LAB
Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
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