How Your Story Shapes Your Leadership and Impact
What is your story? We hear everyone else’s story and we think they are inspirational and amazing. But we view our story through a totally different lens. We look back and see the pain and suffering. We see the disappointment and all the people who failed us. We see ourselves as less than or ordinary at best - while we see the extraordinary in everyone else.
We need to stop that.
Consider all the amazing stories in the Bible…
Moses and the Exodus – how He led the people and the parting of the Red Sea. WOW! How miraculous! Can you imagine witnessing that? But do you remember that Moses stuttered and didn’t feel he was the one for the job? He wasn’t confident and didn’t want to talk to Pharoah - yet, look what God did!
David and Goliath – how David was braver than all of the older, stronger, and more equipped soldiers. He walked out into that valley and was mocked by this giant of a man. He trusted God and picked up just 3 small stones and the rest is history.
Esther’s Courage – she risked her life and approached the King without an invitation to plead for the lives of the Jewish people. Do you remember what she said? “If I perish, I perish.” Wow. She was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Joseph’s Resilience – his dad made it clear he was the favorite child. This led to jealousy that grew into such great resentment his own brothers were willing to consider murdering him and ultimately sold him. He endured betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment. And still chose to trust God, choose forgiveness, and focus on His purpose. Ultimately becoming the ruler of Egypt.
Nehimiah’s Leadership and Vision – he faced a lot of obstacles and threats that would have caused most of us to quit. But not him. He leaned on God and was strategic to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls in just 52 days. He was a servant leader and led by example as he worked alongside the very people he was called to lead.
Then there is Daniel, Deborah, Gideon, Peter’s restoration, and so many more incredible stories. In each one we see the strength, the commitment, and the desire to please God. But, have you ever wondered how they might tell their story?
I have.
I bet during and immediately after they would talk about their fear and their doubt. I bet they would say they struggled with not feeling equipped or ready, but God… I bet they would be in awe of what God had done and how He had used their life.
I mean, here we are 2,000 years later, still talking about these stories.
God is still using these stories in our lives.
These stories are still glorifying God.
You know, this is how we should view our story.
I bet if any of those people were still on the earth today, they would tell us how shocked they are by how God has used their story.
And, I think if you had any idea how God has already been using you and your story, you would share their amazement.
Can I encourage you to do something today…
Take some time to look back and see all that God has been doing in your life in the past 20 or 30 years.
How have you grown to know God more?
What have you learned about who God is?
How has God shown up in your life time and time again? And right on time every time!!
How has He used what you have been through to strengthen you and grow you?
You don’t need a better story.
You need to tell your story – but not for your edification or to prove anything.
No, you need to tell your story for His glory!
Here are some ways God can use your story…
Tell your salvation story. Tell about before you knew Him, how you became aware you needed Him, and the moment you surrendered your life to Him. What an inspiration for those who haven’t done that… YET. Sharing with a humble heart is all it takes to plant seeds in the hearts of others.
Share your Story of Suffering – what was the hardest time of your life thus far? God doesn’t waste our past struggles – even when we can’t make sense of them. He somehow uses our pain to create purpose, impact the lives of those around us, or to transform us to look more like Him. (Ask me how I know.) But we must be careful to not make these stories about our suffering – although it was great – but to testify of His goodness and His faithfulness.
Acknowledging our Mistakes – we are not to feel shame. It is Satan that says shame on you. Jesus says shame off you. What the world may see as a story of shame and regret, we can share as a story of God’s mercy and grace. When I share I have had 2 failed marriages what happens if others recognize if God can use Pam, God can use them. When you don’t acknowledge mistakes you appear perfect, and no one can relate to that.
Tell of the Lessons you Have Learned – in our lives we all experience a stripping away of our self-sufficiency and come to the fullness of our need for Jesus – to breathe and every other single thing. What has God taught you, how has He used the refining fire in your life, and what did you learn the hard way. Telling what He has taught you encourages others to be teachable and open to refinement and ultimately transformation.
Be willing to be Vulnerable - Good leaders are willing to be a little vulnerable… whether it is telling about a hard upbringing, a difficult season, or just acknowledging you don’t know the answer - makes us more relatable and easier to form a connection. It increases your leadership capacity.
I hope your mind is filled right now with stories that you need to tell, things you should be talking about, and even a few times of great faithfulness that you had forgotten all about.
Somehow, someway, God will take our story and weave it piece by piece into the greatest story ever told.
For those of us who are willing to let God use our lives for His glory, we may not be named in the pages of the Bible, but you can rest assured your salvation, suffering, mistakes, lessons, and vulnerability are being used over and over and over again to testify of His goodness.
You see – when you are obedient to tell your story – others share it, and they share it, and then they share it and so on and so on. So God multiplies it and it creates a ripple effect where lives are impacted and God is gloried on repeat.
Don’t be shy. Testify.
You have a lot to share. Here is an easy system to use…
Pray daily for wisdom and discernment. Ask for clear direction to know when to speak and when to be a really good listener. Ask God to make you super sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
When prompted – act. If you feel led to share – do it. If you feel prompted to call – do it.
Start asking, “Can I tell you a little about what God has done in my life?” or “Do you mind if I share a little of my story.”
Let’s choose today to not only surrender our life to Him. Let’s surrender our story(ies) and watch Him use it over and over again for His glory.
As believers we are called to lead. Let God use your stories to lead others to Him.
We can all learn to lead better, so we can influence and impact more.
I will be praying for you.
Hi friend 🤍
If you’ve ever felt called to more… but unsure what your next step is—you are not alone.
My name is Pam Pegram, and I’m a Leadership and Personal Growth Coach who loves Jesus.
I help Christian women gain clarity, build confidence, and step into Christ-centered influence—at work, in their community, and at home.
Because you were never meant to just get by…
You were created to live with purpose, impact others, and walk fully in what God has for you.
Here’s what I believe:
If you are a believer, you are called to lead
Leadership is influence—being salt and light (Matthew 5)
It’s not about position, personality, or platform
It’s about living on purpose right where God has placed you
How do we do that?
Through the Called to Lead Framework, where we focus on:
✔️ The formation of you as a leader (identity, mindset, beliefs)
✔️ The formation of your leadership (connection, vision, influence)
✔️ The practical application of impacting others and leaving a legacy
Now that you’re here—let’s stay connected 🤍
👉 Start here: Take the “What’s Your Leadership Type?” Quiz
👉 Listen to the podcast: Confident Christian Influence - available on most podcast platforms
👉 Follow along on Instagram & join the community on Facebook
👉 Let me send you a simple framework that includes 4 shifts you can make todayl… L E A D Framework
I’m so thankful you’re here.