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STORYTELLING FOR LEADERS
New 2025 workshops!
Sydney and Singapore announced soon
Register your interest today for early-bird discount.
Build your story engine
Drive ongoing change, navigate crisis, build credibility, and get people moving together through strategic storytelling.
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​Learn from leaders who've been there: guiding teams through crisis and crafting narratives for global impact.
Unlock your free Storytelling for Leaders Speed Run Guide today, and learn about our online and in-person workshops.
Excellence isn't enough.
In a world of constant challenge, leaders need to build momentum amid chaos. Data isn't sufficient - it won't win hearts and minds. A deep understanding of how to shape compelling narratives is crucial.
We help leaders and teams master the art of story, from strong foundations to practical application. We do this through the Storytelling for Leaders workshop experience, our series of guides, and a dash of Kiwi humour.
Your free story guide
The Storytelling for Leaders Speed Run is a distilled journey through what makes great stories work and how to shape them in your organisation.
It's a short, super-clear and accessible introduction to our method, reflecting decades of applied knowledge across global sectors.
Unlock your free copy by getting in touch today.
"Our team of design and product leaders at Culture Amp wanted to level up our storytelling capabilities to better connect company goals with product vision and customer realities. Colin and Jo delivered two online workshops that had everyone walking out of the room more confident, crisp and engaging in their storytelling.
"We now have a shared foundation and clear journey ahead as we continue building the world's best people-centered experience platform.
"What impressed me most was how they took us from fascinating first principles to advanced techniques in a remarkably short time. The experience felt deeply tailored to our context – human, funny, and interactive.
"I recommend Storytelling for Leaders for anyone who wants to equip their leadership teams with the skills to craft and deliver compelling strategic narratives."
Bec Paton, Chief Designer & VP of Design, Culture Amp
A workshop like no other!
Leadership DNA
Drawing on direct experience leading teams through disaster recovery, deep change, and commercial startup / scaleup growth.
Narrative Expertise
Professional storytelling techniques from film, games, history, social movements and technology development adapted for organisational impact.
Practical Application
Lively, interactive workshop experiences that build real capability for real-world work, not just theory.
Available online from anywhere in the world, or in-person across Australasia and Asia. Please enquire. ​
"It's only when we have the space and support to think about our story that we can come up with something powerful and empowering."
Anita, Public Service Director
"Really useful. It made me think differently about my team and organisation's narrative."
Justin, Public Service Principal Advisor​
Jo Fitzgerald
Jo has held senior leadership roles in the NZ public sector, including for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
As a facilitator she specializes in helping leaders and teams understand themselves and each other better, unlocking the magic that happens when diverse strengths and perspectives come together. Jo has always focused on collaboration, finding areas of agreement even in challenging situations. Her passion is helping people work together better, aiming their self-awareness, passion, and strengths towards making a difference in the world.
Colin Rowsell
Colin is a narrative and strategy specialist who advises startup CEOs and growth tech companies, and has a background in international film, TV, and video game development. Known as a dynamic and entertaining presenter, Colin was the first Global Copy Director at fintech giant Xero and Head of Strategy at several successful Australasian startups including runn.io and the Wellington Chocolate Factory. He also served on New Zealand's Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
Adaptive to chaos (and sometimes causing it), Colin believes strongly in the power of small, story-aligned groups who move fast and make good things happen. He has a long working history with neurodiverse high-performers who break the status quo.​
Workshop Formats
Please use this form to register your interest in Storytelling for Leaders. We'll automatically unlock your free Storytelling Speed Run Guide when you do. Or if you prefer, email hello@manonfire direct. Thank you!
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