René Jones, one of four Black CEOs in the Fortune 500, shares his secret to success: "It's crucial to tell your story."

The Behind the Desk series by CNBC Make It features personal interviews with successful business executives, revealing their journeys, motivations, and daily routines.

René Jones claims that banking executives are unfairly perceived negatively. The reason for this perception may be unexpected.

Jones, 56, tells CNBC Make It that he believes the reason is because we are not skilled storytellers.

M&T's CEO, Jones, who has been in charge since 2017, is one of only four Black executives in the Fortune 500. He began his career at the bank as an executive associate in 1992 and now oversees its 17,000 employees and a market valuation of $23 billion.

He has learned to use his personal story as a tool to strengthen his workplace relationships. As a child, growing up with five siblings in a biracial family, he learned not to judge people based on their appearance.

Jones believes that discussing his personal and professional background helps his employees connect with him on a deeper level. He explains, "It's through conversations and relationships that we can take things to the next level." This moment was particularly significant for him, marking a turning point in his life.

Jones talks about his experiences growing up in a biracial family, how stereotypes impact him in the workplace, and the keys to his career success.

Being raised in a biracial family helped me recognize stereotypes.

Growing up in Ayer, Massachusetts, near Fort Devens, a military base, my dad, an African-American, joined the army early at age 17 in 1941.

At age 19, he traveled abroad and encountered my mother in Belgium. She was 17 at the time. Eventually, they decided to relocate to the United States and marry in a multiracial union in 1946.

When I share my story, I often avoid discussing the period from 1946 to the 1960s. However, when I do, it prompts people to ask unique questions, which alters the course of our relationship.

I am the youngest of six siblings with a 18-year age difference. Our complexions range from fair to dark, encompassing the entire light-to-dark spectrum. Due to the military base nearby, our friend group is diverse, hailing from various countries such as Samoa, the Philippines, Korea, and Barbados.

The awareness of stereotypes and limitations on people was greatly enhanced by my belief that it was helpful.

Stereotypes could be your 'greatest asset'.

Sometimes, stereotypes can be viewed as a restriction, but there is also an opportunity to see them in a new light.

I often felt like an outsider in predominantly African-American settings, despite being part of the family. Conversely, my family members were sometimes mistaken for being strangers because of their race. This made me reflect on the assumptions we make about people and how they can be ingrained in our minds.

Stereotypes can be seen as a burden or crutch, but they come in various forms, such as race or the assumption that someone is limited based on their major.

Over time, I discovered that those limitations could be my greatest advantage. People often form opinions about me or set expectations for me. By adapting to their perceptions, I can catch them off guard and achieve success in ways they never anticipated.

When I encounter a new employee at our firm, I am intrigued by their knowledge and potential to make a difference in the world. I am aware that their perspective will differ from mine, and I believe that by engaging with them, I can gain new insights and improve myself.

On his career turning point: ‘You have to tell your story’

At M&T, around 20 years ago, they decided to get me a career coach. During our fourth session, the coach informed me, "I'm finished here. There's nothing more to accomplish."

You said, 'What do you mean, we just started?' And he replied, 'It's really simple. People don't understand you.'

It's like being in a big room when the fire alarm goes off. Everyone rushes out, but the last person looks back at you sitting calmly at your desk. You've experienced more shocking things in your life than a fire alarm.

He replied, "You need to share your background and upbringing experiences by narrating your story."

Sharing their story is valuable not only for the individual but also for the company. Through storytelling, people can discover commonalities and deepen their conversations and relationships. That moment was a turning point for me.

What sets him apart as a leader is his ability to remain calm under pressure.

My colleagues often describe me as the person who looks around corners and anticipates what we may encounter in the future.

My ability to simplify complex concepts and communicate them clearly has been a valuable asset for me.

I spend approximately 35% of my energy trying to maintain composure. It requires that much effort. Recently, we were working on a project that wasn't progressing as planned. I needed assistance from someone outside the company. I was at about 50%, and if it exceeded that, what was the point?

As a leader, you possess an amplifying effect. When you are enthusiastic or anxious, it spreads to others. My goal is to be the thermostat for the organization.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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