How to Tell Your Story

May 17, 2018

During a coaching session on effective presentations, a client asked, “Is it okay to incorporate a personal story into my presentation?”
“Absolutely,” I said. “Especially if it’s relevant to your audience.” The truth is, sharing a story with your audience can be immensely rewarding. People may not remember facts and data, but they always will remember a compelling story.
During an executive coaching session, I was helping a company president prepare for a one-on-one interview he was doing for the women’s resource group at his company. I encouraged him to tell a relatable story. The goal was to illustrate why diversity and inclusion was important to him and why he was committed to advancing women. Initially, he appeared uncomfortable and drew a complete mental blank.

“Think about it over the weekend,” I said.

On Monday morning we met again, and he seemed much more confident. He told me that despite his mother having a college degree, she had been unable to secure a professional job—solely because she was a woman. “She was so smart, but never had the opportunity to advance beyond a clerical role,” he said. “Advancing women leaders is even more important to me because I also have two daughters and I want them to be able to achieve their dreams and not let their gender be an obstacle.”
“Bingo,” I exclaimed. “This is the kind of story that touches hearts and minds.”

Over the weeks leading up to the event, we honed his message. And guess what—the audience was almost in tears when he shared the story!

The 3 W’s of Storytelling
How can you weave your personal stories into presentations? Here are some simple tips to consider:
1. Who is Your Audience? Are they friends, strangers or colleagues? Is it a large or small group? What is your relationship to the group? Last summer, I conducted a personal branding workshop for 150 high school students in a science program at Carnegie Mellon University. I had to dig deep to find a relatable story. Luckily, I had just attended my high school reunion. I told the students about how my high school guidance counselor had recommended that I and some of my classmates consider going to a trade school instead of a four-year college. Thankfully our self-confidence overrode her counsel, and we all went on to graduate from reputable colleges and universities. My message was simply, “Don’t let others define you.”

2. What Story Should You Tell? Personal stories are always better in reaching others. That’s why it’s important to research your audience to ensure your stories will have an impact. In the case of the CEO discussed earlier, career advancement was one of the biggest challenges women had in his company by telling his mother’s story, he showed compassion, as well as reiterated his commitment to helping women leaders advance.

3. What is the Occasion? Whether you’re on the mainstage at a major conference or at your sister’s wedding, you need to read the room and make sure your story fits the audience. For example, the actress and rapper Queen Latifah recently spoke at the 2018 Rutgers-Newark Commencement and talked about how her experiences of growing up in Newark provided the foundation for her successful career. “Whether you’ve been in Newark for four years or all your life, remember these experiences,” she said.

Most importantly, if you concentrate on creating a relatable experience in the mind of your listeners, you can be successful at winning over your audience.

Let me help you find, craft and deliver your amazing stories to make your message memorable and effective. Contact me for training or private coaching at [email protected].