The best communicators are great storytellers.
It doesn’t matter if you’re talking with your team of five people or speaking to a crowd of 5,000 people—stories make an impact. When you share a story, you build an emotional connection with your audience with a message they’ll remember.
Here are four steps to becoming a masterful storyteller:
- Look at what the numbers really mean. Statistics are important, but they don’t carry the emotional weight of a story. The vast majority of our decisions are subconscious and based on emotions. Look at the true meaning of the numbers and tell it as a story.
- Connect emotionally. Aim to connect with your listeners on a human level. This often requires being vulnerable and putting yourself out there. As you understand your audience, you can practice empathy and put yourself in their shoes.
- Get personal. People remember real stories more than fictional stories. Don’t tell a story about someone else—put yourself in the story. No one can tell your personal story better than you.
- Focus on the main point. As you craft your story, think of the goal you are trying to accomplish. What’s the point of the story? Avoid unnecessary details and rambling and stick to what matters most.
Becoming a great storyteller takes practice. But if you can master the art of storytelling, you can become an extraordinary communicator and open countless doors in your career.
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Now more than ever, we need to put people first, COVID-19 has made sure of that. But what does that mean and how do you do it? I recently did a webinar where I share 5 strategies that you and your organization need to focus on. I decided to make this webinar accessible for free to anyone who wants to watch it over the next few days. Just click here to access it.
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