The extra-Ordinary Leader with Dolly Waddell
The extra-Ordinary Leader is a show that takes a collaborative approach to uncover what it means to be a leader in the 21st century.
Through a series of open and honest conversations with a selection of top business leaders and leadership coaches, Dolly Waddell takes us on a journey to unravel the complex world of leadership in the 21st century.
The extra-Ordinary Leader with Dolly Waddell
S4 04: Leadership Through Storytelling: Harnessing Strengths and Presence with Laura G. Patac
In this episode of The extra-Ordinary Leader, I sit down with Laura G. Patac, Strengths Coach, creator of Strengths Velocity Lab™, and author of Stories with Purpose. With over 20 years as a corporate executive across five continents, Laura brings a wealth of wisdom on what it really takes to thrive as a leader.
We explore the difference between success and impact, why presence and influence matter as much as results, and how leaders can use storytelling to unlock connection, energy, and purpose. Laura shares her own journey from mathematician to corporate leader to poet and entrepreneur – and why tapping into your strengths is the key to sustainable leadership.
Inside this conversation, Laura also guides me through a live storytelling exercise that uncovered powerful new reflections on resilience, surrender, and authenticity in leadership.
If you’ve ever felt stuck behind results alone or struggled to articulate your leadership presence, this episode will give you practical tools and deep inspiration.
You can connect with Laura on LinkedIn and find her book, Stories with Purpose, on Amazon
Inside This Episode
- Laura’s global corporate journey and why she chose to pivot into coaching and poetry
- Why results alone aren’t enough – the importance of presence, impact, and influence
- How leaders can use storytelling as a practical skill to build trust and connection
- The energy shift that happens when you work in your strengths rather than your weaknesses
- A simple but powerful exercise to discover the difference between capability and natural talent
- How storytelling frameworks can be applied to leadership challenges and feedback conversations
- Laura’s insights on resilience, surrender, and authenticity – and my own personal reflections during our live exercise
If this episode resonates with you, reach out at info@dollywaddell.com. I work with executives and teams to unlock their strengths, harness the power of storytelling, and build the presence and impact that leadership today demands. Together we can create lasting energy, connection, and cultures that thrive.
My book The extra-Ordinary Leader is available now: https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leader