· Jane Doe · Storytelling · 2 min read
Characters that Lead Us - Building Empathy Like in Movies
Learn how to create relatable heroes—whether in your story, your team, or your brand—and why empathy is the secret ingredient.
“Storytelling is joke-telling. It’s knowing your punchline, your ending, knowing that everything you’re saying, from the first sentence to the last, is leading to a singular goal, and ideally confirming some truth that deepens our understanding of who we are as human beings.”
—Andrew Stanton
The Power of Relatable Characters
People don’t follow ideas. They follow people. The best stories give us heroes we care about, flaws and all.
Example: Rocky (Film)
Rocky Balboa isn’t a champion at the start. He’s an underdog, struggling to make ends meet. We root for him because we see ourselves in his vulnerability, his hope, his grit.
Example: Frida Kahlo (Art)
Kahlo’s self-portraits are raw, honest, and sometimes painful. By sharing her own struggles, she invites empathy and connection, making her art timeless.
Example: Howard Schultz (Business, Starbucks)
Schultz didn’t just sell coffee—he told the story of his working-class upbringing and dream of creating a “third place” between home and work. His personal journey became the heart of the Starbucks brand.
Empathy in Business
- Make your customer the hero. Show you understand their challenges and dreams.
- Show vulnerability. Share your struggles, not just your victories.
- Build trust through authenticity. Real stories create real loyalty.
Try This
When leading a team, launching a campaign, or telling your company’s story, focus on the people at its heart. Who’s the hero? What do they want? What stands in their way?
