October 29, 2024 • 1hr 2min

Boyd Varty - Becoming A Meaning Maker - [Invest Like the Best, EP.394]

Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Boyd Varty is a lion tracker, life coach and storyteller who grew up in the South African wilderness. In this episode, he explores the art of storytelling and its critical importance for leaders, founders and anyone seeking to create meaning. Drawing from his experiences tracking animals, working with teams, and studying human nature, Boyd provides frameworks for becoming a better storyteller and meaning-maker.

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Key Takeaways

Storytelling is meaning-making - Great storytellers help create context and meaning for others through narrative
Story hunting requires:
- Being someone stories happen around - staying open to experiences
- Being a character who finds characters - following internal pulls
- Paying deep attention to what's meaningful
Culture building through story: A cohesive narrative becomes the foundation for organizational culture when consistently reinforced
Authenticity in leadership comes from taking time for solitude to develop genuine conviction in your story
Great stories need:
- An unusual opening hook
- Well-developed characters
- Clear conflict/challenge
- Universal meaning

Introduction

Boyd Varty is a lion tracker, life coach and storyteller who grew up in the South African wilderness. In this episode, he explores the art of storytelling and its critical importance for leaders, founders and anyone seeking to create meaning. Drawing from his experiences tracking animals, working with teams, and studying human nature, Boyd provides frameworks for becoming a better storyteller and meaning-maker.

Topics Discussed

The Power of Storytelling (5:27)

Boyd explains how he first recognized the power of storytelling around campfires after safari experiences. He observed how guides would transform scary or challenging moments into meaningful stories that created context and understanding for guests.

"If you are leading something...any form of leadership is context creating. You are the head storyteller," explains Boyd
Key elements of powerful storytelling:
- Creating meaning from experiences
- Helping others understand how to feel
- Building shared context

Story Hunting Principles (9:18)

Boyd outlines his core principles for becoming an effective "story hunter" and meaning maker:

Be someone stories happen around
- Stay open to experiences
- Say yes to opportunities
- Venture into uncharted territory
Be a character who finds characters
- Follow internal curiosity
- Seek unusual encounters
- Connect with remarkable people
Pay deep attention to what is meaningful and noteworthy

The Role of Fear in Storytelling (13:27)

Boyd discusses how fear and challenging moments often become the seeds of powerful stories:

There's a "sweet spot" of fear that brings people together rather than overwhelming them
Facing challenges as a group creates shared meaning and connection
"The briefing becomes a frame for how to think about and approach the edge together," notes Boyd

Building Culture Through Story (17:04)

Boyd explains how narrative becomes the foundation for organizational culture:

Key elements:
- Consistent reinforcement of core story
- Living the values daily
- Quick correction of deviations
"At first it's narrative...but then what it should become is an identity that people don't even have to think about," explains Boyd
Culture becomes self-perpetuating when story is properly embedded

The Importance of Solitude (41:45)

Boyd emphasizes the critical role of solitude in developing authentic stories:

Leaders need time alone to:
- Develop genuine conviction
- Process experiences
- Find original insights
"If you want to be original, you have to have time away from social construct and social ideas," advises Boyd

High Stakes and Meaning (45:00)

Boyd explores the relationship between high stakes situations and finding meaning:

Comfort and familiarity can reduce sense of meaning
Being "up against something" forces growth and new perspectives
Sweet spot between productive challenge and overwhelming stress

The Endurance Hunt Experience (47:49)

Boyd shares a powerful recent experience tracking with Kalahari Bushmen:

Key elements of the experience:
- Venturing into unknown territory
- Learning ancient tracking practices
- Building cross-cultural connections
Demonstrated principles of story hunting in action
Created meaningful narrative that will spread through villages

Simplicity and Abundance (52:56)

Boyd reflects on lessons learned from the Bushmen about simplicity:

View desert as their "storehouse" with natural abundance
Find richness in simple daily rhythms
Strong social connections without modern distractions

Traits of Remarkable Characters (54:37)

Boyd outlines what makes someone a true "character":

Key traits:
- Living from inside-out rather than outside-in
- Breaking free of social constraints
- Self-authored life narrative
- Moral conviction
- Inspiring presence

Life's Work and Expression (59:35)

Boyd discusses the concept of life's work as self-expression in service of others:

Constant questioning of full expression
Balance between depth and scale of impact
Importance of human connection

Conclusion

The episode provides a rich exploration of storytelling as a vital leadership skill and meaning-making tool. Boyd emphasizes that becoming an effective storyteller is a learnable practice that can create tremendous leverage in any leadership role. The key is developing awareness, following internal pulls, and taking time to craft meaningful narratives that can shape culture and create lasting impact.