Everyone has a story

We are all storytellers. Humans have connected through stories for thousands of years. Before humans learned to write, they had to rely on memory for learning. Oral stories were handed down from generation to generation. A storyteller who was good at telling others about the significant events of the group was often elevated to a position of greater respect and power. Humans are unique in that we may be the only animals that tell stories. Stories focus on learning, understanding, and memory. They can produce data that is more interesting, engaging, and sticky to make decision-making clearer and faster. We see the influence of storytelling in all aspects of our life: movies, books, music, and the news media. This explains the success of audio programs that tell us a story as well as information such as TED Talks, National Public Radio’s Story Corps, and “The Moth” storytelling series.   

Make it interesting. Andrew Stanton, the American film director and screenwriter at Pixar Animation Studios, won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature for “Finding Nemo” and “WALL-E” by telling good stories. He described his process in an NPR episode entitled, “What Makes a Good Story,” he says that you must make your audience care. You should create a journey for them to follow based on truths from your own experiences. Don’t give away all the information right away. He says that “the audience actually wants to work for their meal.” 

People are born problem solvers and want to figure things out. Storytelling helps organizations make decisions. In your next presentation, think about the story behind your facts. What is your message and why should your audience care. The specificity of a story can make your message land in a much more impactful, meaningful way.