A Speaking Tip: Give Your Audience a Story They Can Step Into

When you share a story in a talk, your audience needs a little help finding their way into it.

Imagine telling them, “I had a difficult conversation with my team, and it taught me to listen better.” They understand the point, but they haven’t experienced the moment with you.

Now think about what made that conversation difficult. Were you standing outside a meeting room, rehearsing what to say? Did someone ask a question you weren’t prepared to answer? Was there a pause that felt longer than it really was?

A detail like that gives people something to picture. It also helps them understand why the moment mattered to you.

Choose one story from a presentation you give often. As you prepare it, ask yourself:

• Who was there, and what did they want?

• What made the situation uncertain or difficult?

• What did you notice in the room?

• What changed by the end?
  

You don’t need to answer every question in the speech. Use the answers to find the few details that bring the story to life. Then connect the ending to the idea you want your audience to take with them.

Try telling the revised story aloud to someone who wasn’t there. Ask what they pictured and what they took away. Their answer can tell you whether the story is doing the work you want it to do.

What’s one story you tell that your audience could experience more vividly?