From Chaos to Captivation!
Greetings, Steem family! I hope we are all waxing strong today.
Facts tell, stories sell.
By far, one of the most effective ways to give a speech is by weaving a narrative.
Have you ever noticed how some presentations leave you zoned out on WhatsApp or Facebook, while others capture your attention completely?
Statistics show that 64% of our daily conversations are made up of storytelling. I relate to these statistics because one thing is undeniable: everyone loves a good story. Notice how I said "a good story"?
A few months ago, I went to speak to some sixth-grade schoolchildren here in the city of Bamenda. The power of storytelling dawned on me then. As I was speaking to these bright children, I shared a point under the topic of personal development that they seemed to over-identify with. This sparked a serious debate, leading to a noisy room. Bringing them back to calmness was a real struggle. I realized that my "hellos" and "please listens" weren't helping. Suddenly, it occurred to me that I could take them on a journey. So I said something like, "Once upon a time, there was a group of children who..."
The class that was so noisy suddenly became silent as everyone listened to the story I was sharing with undivided attention. From that particular day on, storytelling became my go-to tool for grabbing attention in presentations.
When I train students in public speaking, I tell them that the reason they might invite the highest-paid public speaker in the world, Barack Obama, who earns approximately over $110,000 per 45-60 minute speech, is not for anything other than his stories. As we already know, there are two main ways to learn in life: one is from our own experiences, and the other is from other people's experiences. Stories are the building blocks of these experiences.
It is often said that "good speakers tell stories, while great speakers tell personal stories." This means that our personal stories can be much more impactful than when we tell other people's stories.
I always get questions like "Does that mean every story in a presentation must be a personal story?" The answer is simple: Not necessarily! Here are some other ways to weave a narrative in order to convey your intended message:
Case Study or Success Story: This usually involves an individual or a company that perhaps went through a challenge and emerged successfully.
Historical Narrative: This usually involves using historical events or figures to illustrate a point.
Parables: These are fictional stories with moral lessons that illustrate the main message you are trying to get across.
Hypothetical Scenario: This also involves creating a fictional situation or story that is relevant to the message you are trying to convey to the audience.
The key isn't just telling a story; it's about using it as a powerful tool to enhance your communication and connect with your audience. Embrace the narrative power within you, and watch your presentations transform!
Until next time,
Cheers✌️