Transforming Through Stories: A Leadership Journey

By Zachary Kelley

I have always felt a great deal of pressure to change, grow, and shape each moment into something better. This thought echoes through my life, a constant chase to become a better version of myself. Since childhood, my passion for literature has served as a sanctuary, inspiring my imagination as I dove into tales of adventure, personal growth, and profound change. I could usually be found lost in the pages of fantastical worlds – trudging through Middle Earth, diving into pools in the Wood between the Worlds, or learning how to live on a remote island with Robinson. I was fascinated by the journeys of these characters – wondering when I would begin my own transformation journey.

During my undergraduate studies, I worked as a barista at a local coffee shop, where I discovered my passion for making coffee and connecting with customers. I was fascinated by the incredible stories behind the coffees we prepared and the people we served. The coffee starts from the seeds that journey through various transformations before arriving at the coffee shop, and the customers are no different. Eventually, I was promoted to manager, which marked my first official role as a team leader. Although a hiring committee determined I was the best candidate for the position, I was still shocked when I received the offer. I questioned whether I had the necessary skills to qualify for a leadership role, feeling uncertain about stepping into this new chapter.

For much of my life, I have battled feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome, failing to recognize my contributions as a leader. When I left the coffee shop to become the director of the Avanti Italia program in Scandicci, Italy, those insecurities intensified. Avanti Italia aims to better prepare people to teach English using the Bible while also connecting with the greater community in meaningful ways. Yet again, a committee had agreed I was the best candidate for this important job, and yet again, I struggled to believe it. It wasn’t until I began the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) program at Harding University that I started to understand and claim my strengths and potential as a leader.

In my first class with Dr. Andrea Bishop, I explored courageous communication and healthy leadership styles. The lectures, homework assignments, course readings, and engagement with my peers helped me realize that I am a leader – and a pretty good one at that! The course unlocked a newfound confidence within me. For the first time, I recognized that not only was I able to lead, but I had effectively empowered my team of baristas by connecting them to the story of the coffee and developing training events to create excellent coffee and intentional connections with the customer base. It didn’t stop there; I was finally able to understand that I am making meaningful changes as the director of the Avanti Italia program. Like the characters in my favorite books, I have been on my own journey of transformation for quite some time now.

As I dive deeper into my MAOL studies, I have started to appreciate how literature and personal rituals, like making a cup of coffee, work together in my life. The stories of transformation that I cherished as a child have evolved into a true passion and a part of my self-care routine. They remind me of the growth I can achieve within myself while also being fully present.

The MAOL program has revealed storytelling as a vital tool for understanding myself and my connection to others. Interacting with my peers and professors has helped me discover and nurture my identity as a storyteller. I had not fully embraced this part of myself until now, but this journey has shown me that the connections we make through our stories shape us personally and inform how we relate to others.

In my current class on foundations of training and development, I’m learning to channel this ethos of nurturing into my work. I aim to create resources for my successor that I wish had existed when I began my journey in this role. As I prepare step into my next chapter, I want to leave this program better than I found it. Sharing my knowledge and experiences will empower those who come after me and allow them to navigate with confidence and clarity.

My experience in the MAOL program has been deeply transformative. I have learned important lessons about leadership, personal growth, and storytelling. These lessons have changed me. I know that my path as a leader, a storyteller, and an adequately caffeinated lifelong learner is just beginning.

Zachary Kelley lives in Scandicci, Italy with his wife Aleece and their daughters, Adelena and Eleanora. He currently serves as the Avantia Italia Director.

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Transforming Through Stories: A Leadership Journey

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