It’s all the rage and it can make you a more effective leader in the coming year. Entrepreneur Magazine says it’s a top trend for 2015, and it has recently been talked about in the New York Times and CEO.com. What’s the one thing that can make a big difference in the coming year? Become an amazing storyteller.

Storytelling is an art form and is easier said than done for many, but it is a skill that can be developed and mastered. The best storytellers have committed to continually developing their self-awareness and tapping into their emotions, and have a willingness to be vulnerable to the whole organization. Compelling storytelling takes courage and as CEO, that can be worth it in two key ways:

Vision – A CEO’s main responsibility is to clearly and consistently communicate a compelling vision. Most CEOs use logic to explain how and why, and statistically, only about 14% of the workforce understands a company’s vision and strategy. The reality is that facts and figures alone don’t stick. Our brains are wired to remember information through patterns and narrative. Storytelling is an effective narrative that taps into the emotional responses of making an idea possible, of wanting to change to create a better outcome. Effective leaders create a vision where everyone can see themselves and their contribution to the outcome in the story. When this is achieved, change starts to stick and transformation occurs.

Engagement – People follow those whom they believe. There is truth in storytelling (as opposed to spinning a story). Have the courage to tell a story that includes the hard parts—the dread, the danger, along with the opportunity. Share what happens if you win, along with if you don’t. Tell the odds of whether or not you’re going to make it. If you only show the bright side of the situation, people aren’t going to believe you and people need to believe. Those who actually do the work know it’s going to be hard, so acknowledge it in your story. People are willing to do hard stuff when they know the vision, they trust the leader, and they can see they are making a difference.

Harness imagination, belief, the desire to overcome—first in yourself and then in your company. Tell the compelling story and be part of the trend in 2015. It will make transforming a company more attainable and I would argue, more fun.