According to Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, in the days when Abraham Lincoln was just a prairie lawyer, people would travel from far and wide to listen to him speak. Lincoln, devoid of today’s technological conveniences, would stand atop a tree stump rather than grace a TED stage, and PowerPoint was still a distant invention. Nevertheless, Goodwin notes, Lincoln possessed the remarkable ability to educate, entertain, and move his audiences with his storytelling prowess. Despite the evolution of communication tools, our brains remain attuned to storytelling; it’s how we naturally process information and derive enjoyment from content.
Recognizing the disparity between presenting and storytelling is crucial for leaders aiming to captivate and motivate their audience. Unfortunately, presentation software often hinders this goal, as slides should complement a narrative, not overshadow it.
Outlined below are five storytelling strategies to elevate your presentations:
- Craft a Narrative: Instead of diving straight into slideware, begin by shaping your ideas into a cohesive story. Avoid defaulting to bullet points and focus on constructing a narrative with a theme, compelling moments, and relatable characters.
- Embrace Visual Storytelling: Follow the example of Chris Hadfield, who, during his time aboard the International Space Station, delivered a captivating TED Talk devoid of text-heavy slides. Incorporate visuals such as images, animations, and videos to enhance engagement and retention among your audience.
- Humanize Data: As demonstrated by Florence Nightingale, data becomes more digestible and impactful when contextualized through human stories. Instead of inundating your audience with raw statistics, illustrate your points with relatable examples and personal anecdotes.
- Inject Surprise: Break away from predictability by incorporating unexpected elements into your presentation. Whether it’s an unconventional product reveal like Steve Jobs’ unveiling of the iPod or an unforeseen twist in your narrative, novelty captures attention and leaves a lasting impression.
- Rehearse Aloud: Elevate your presentation from mere delivery to performance by rehearsing aloud. Practice your vocal delivery, pacing, and physical presence to ensure a polished and engaging delivery.
Conclusion
By embracing storytelling techniques and prioritizing narrative over slides, you can transform your presentations into compelling experiences that resonate with your audience long after the slides have faded.
Curated by Danielle Tan.
Reference:
- https://hbr.org/2022/04/what-the-best-presenters-do-differently
