What Is The Role Of Clinical Psychology In Storytelling – Nathan Leli

What is the role of clinical psychology in storytelling and why do you need to learn about it as an entrepreneur? Now imagine this. This is a world where attention has become the new currency, and the digital landscape is flooded with content. This is what made storytelling critically an essential tool for engagement.

Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.

Pay attention to this. What if the secret to a truly compelling narrative lies not only in the words you speak but in the psychology behind them?

Now think of how understanding human behavior, emotions, and communication can unlock the power of your story and propel your business to success. That is what we are going to be talking about in this article.

The Hidden Power of Storytelling in Business

Before diving into how psychology plays a role in storytelling, let’s reflect on why storytelling itself is so important. If you’re part of the African diaspora, you may already know that our stories have always been a bridge between past and present, between generations, and between people.

As Kara S. Alaimo writes in her book “Pitch”, the most successful content creators, marketers, and business leaders are those who understand the importance of crafting authentic stories that resonate emotionally with their audience.

Storytelling humanizes your brand, giving it a face and a voice that others can relate to. For creative entrepreneurs, particularly within the African diaspora, it allows you to navigate multiple identities, histories, and cultures, creating a rich tapestry of experiences that speak to your audience in a way that is both personal and universal.

See also Mohamed BA on Rediscovering Roots: A Conversation on African Identity and Legacy in the Diaspora

You’re not just selling a product or service, you’re inviting others into your narrative, making them feel seen, heard, and understood. This is how brand loyalty is built.

But here’s the catch: to truly connect, you need more than just a great story—you need to understand the psychology behind how people process information, form emotional connections, and build trust. This is where clinical psychology comes into play.

Understanding the Role of Clinical Psychology in Storytelling

Clinical psychology, at its core, is the study of human behavior, emotions, and mental processes. It’s about understanding what motivates people, how they respond to stimuli, and what they need to feel heard, validated, and connected. When you understand these fundamental psychological principles, you’re better equipped to craft stories that resonate on a deeper level.

Nathan Leli, a clinical psychologist and lead research coordinator for a Biotech startup, speaks about the importance of truly listening and understanding another person’s perspective.

In an interview with the Obehi Podcast, he reflected on how our interactions often fail because people are more interested in talking than in truly listening. He describes a key psychological distinction: “There’s a big difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is passive, while listening requires active engagement, understanding, and empathy.”

As an entrepreneur, this principle can transform how you approach storytelling. It’s not just about telling your audience what you think they want to hear; it’s about tuning into their needs, desires, fears, and aspirations.

By doing so, you create stories that speak to them on a deeply emotional level—stories that inspire trust, loyalty, and action.

Consider this: in one study published by Harvard Business Review, researchers found that emotionally connected customers are more than twice as valuable as highly satisfied customers. These emotionally connected customers buy more, stay longer, and are more likely to recommend your business to others.

This connection doesn’t happen by accident; it happens when you take the time to understand what motivates your audience psychologically and tailor your message to their needs.

Psychology in Business: The Emotional Bridge Between You and Your Audience

If you are a creative entrepreneur, it’s not enough to simply create a product or service; you must craft an emotional experience for your customers. And this is where psychology can really make a difference.

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Remember that psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It’s a broad discipline that explores various dimensions of human experience, including numerous sub-disciplines including:

• Human development,
• Sports psychology,
• Health psychology,
• Clinical psychology,
• Social behavior,
• And cognitive processes, among others.

When you understand the underlying psychological principles that drive human behavior, you can shape the way your audience perceives your brand, builds a relationship with it, and ultimately becomes loyal to it. Now pay attention to the following:

Emotional Connection:

Psychology shows that humans are driven by emotions more than logic. According to Daniel Goleman’s concept of Emotional Intelligence, humans make decisions based on emotions and then use logic to justify those decisions.

This is particularly relevant for entrepreneurs in the African diaspora, who are often selling not just a product, but a piece of culture, history, and identity. By tapping into the emotions tied to these aspects, you create a deeper connection with your audience.

Building Trust through Authenticity:

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful business. Brene Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, has spent years studying trust and vulnerability in human relationships.

She argues that trust is built through authenticity and empathy—both of which can be cultivated by understanding psychological principles.

When you listen to your customers’ needs and genuinely respond with empathy, you build trust. This trust is foundational for long-term business success.

Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution:

As an entrepreneur, you’re not just dealing with customers, you’re managing teams, navigating partnerships, and resolving conflicts. Psychological insights into communication and conflict resolution can significantly improve your ability to manage relationships effectively.

See also Owning Our Narratives: Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge for Global Creative Success

Active listening, emotional regulation, and empathy are key to resolving disputes and building stronger, more collaborative teams. In fact, research by the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that workplace teams that embrace these psychological principles are more innovative and perform better.

Psychology and Business Management: A Symbiotic Relationship

As an entrepreneur, you might be wondering how psychology can help you not only tell a better story but also run a better business. The relationship between psychology and business management is crucial, especially when it comes to:

• Leadership,
• Team dynamics,
• And customer relations.

In a study conducted by Gallup in 2020, companies with high levels of employee engagement (which is heavily influenced by emotional intelligence and psychological well-being) see a 21% increase in productivity.

In the Gallup article titled The Benefits of Employee Engagement, it is highlighted that in 2020, Gallup conducted its 10th meta-analysis on the Q12, drawing from 456 research studies across 276 organizations spanning 54 industries and 96 countries.

The analysis examined the relationship between employee engagement and performance outcomes at the work-unit level. They utilized data from 112,312 work units and over 2.7 million employees. This comprehensive study reinforced the strong, well-documented link between employee engagement and 11 key performance outcomes.

This shows that psychological principles are not just beneficial for storytelling but are integral to running a thriving business.

Nathan Leli’s background in clinical psychology and his current role in biotech offer a fascinating lens through which to view the application of psychology in business. His work involves developing research protocols and ensuring that patient interactions are conducted in a way that fosters trust and cooperation—two critical elements in business success.

During the interview, he told Obehi Ewanfoh about the importance of empathy in leadership, stating, “When people feel understood, they’re more likely to be motivated and engaged. In any business, this is the foundation for success.”

For you, as a creative entrepreneur, this insight is invaluable. Leadership is not just about giving orders; it’s about understanding your team members, clients, and audience, and tailoring your interactions to meet their psychological needs.

Whether you are managing a team of creatives or navigating partnerships, psychological principles like active listening, empathy, and emotional regulation can lead to better outcomes.

Case Study: Nathan Leli’s Impact in the Biotech Industry

Nathan Leli’s work in clinical psychology extends beyond the therapy room and into the high-pressure world of biotech. As a lead research coordinator for a company dedicated to combating the opioid crisis, Nathan uses his expertise in human behavior to improve patient interactions, refine research protocols, and manage team dynamics.

His ability to listen actively to patients, empathize with their struggles, and create a psychologically safe environment for both patients and staff is integral to his success in this high-stakes field.

See also The Art of Business Storytelling: A Guide for Entrepreneurs

This real-world application of psychological principles shows how powerful understanding human behavior can be—not just in therapy, but:

• In business operations,
• Team management,
• And customer relations.

For creative entrepreneurs, this example underscores the value of psychological insights in fostering a supportive, effective business environment.

The Psychology of Storytelling in the African Diaspora Context

As a creative entrepreneur within the African diaspora, you’re uniquely positioned to tap into a rich reservoir of cultural stories and shared histories. Yet, this comes with a responsibility to tell those stories with sensitivity, authenticity, and psychological awareness.

For years, Obehi Ewanfoh has been captivated by the power of storytelling. His journey began before he left Nigeria for Italy in 2004, where he published his first book, “Round My Mind”. His exploration of storytelling continued through his research project, “The Journey”, which delved into the presence of Africans in northern Italy.

With the publication of his five-part book series, The Storytelling Mastery, in 2023, Ewanfoh has become even more certain that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools ever known to humanity.

By incorporating psychological principles—such as cultural empathy, active listening, and emotional resonance—you can tell stories that not only reflect the lived experiences of your audience but also foster deep, meaningful connections.

This is the key to engaging the African diaspora community, whose history and identity are often interwoven with both personal and collective narratives of migration, displacement, and resilience.

Conclusion: Using Psychology and Storytelling to Drive Business Success

As a creative entrepreneur, you have a wealth of untapped potential at your fingertips. By understanding the psychological principles that govern human behavior and applying them to your storytelling, you can build deeper, more meaningful connections with your audience, enhance your leadership, and create a brand that resonates on an emotional level.

The intersection of clinical psychology and storytelling isn’t just a theoretical concept, it’s a practical, actionable approach to business success.

By embracing the power of human connection, listening deeply, and telling authentic stories, you position yourself and your business for long-term success. Your story is powerful. Now, with the right psychological insights, you can make sure it’s heard.

Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.