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Telling Compelling Stories

This is another excerpt from 2016’s FEI conference in Boston, MA. This one comes from

William reen!al", Fo#n"er an" $hief %e#rolea"erolo&ist at Win"sor 'ea"ership ro#p.

He began with a story.

This one was about air travel. Something happens. The plane makes an odd noise, then nose

dives. “What am I’m going to do! e"hoed in his head. The "aptain "himed in, “you may use

your phone#you have ten se"onds to send a message.! What would you say

William said, “We are going down. I love you all $ remember, I’m %lying on business so I get

double indemnity with li%e ins$!

The plane landed sa%ely a%ter all. & world o% sel%'re%le"tion "on%ounded William and made him

re%le"t on what matters#%amily, love.

What makes this story "ompelling

The audien"e "an relate. They are traveling. It is a strong opening that builds rapport with

everyone in the room.

“Stories need to "onne"t. Stories need to be relevant.!

(reenwald also employed the ta"ti" o% waiting until the middle o% the story to introdu"e

himsel%, “to get better re"eption right out o% the gate.! This is a best pra"ti"e o% storytelling.

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)resentation e*"ellen"e re+uires %our parts )lanning, -esign, -elivery, and & /+uality

assuran"e0.

These %our parts amount to an ar" o% su""ess%ul storytelling. 1a"h part has a mi* o% methods#

both art and s"ien"e#that "an be planned "are%ully, rehearsed, and mastered.

&sk yoursel%, “Is it more important to be brilliant or relevant! 2emember, it’s not about you3

it is about the listener and the impa"t you make on their views and a"tions. When it’s done,

no one remembers your brillian"e. 2elevan"e drives impa"t. Think about adding seven words

at the end o% ea"h point “this is why it matters to you.!

&nother tip show up early. 4ou’ll be more rela*ed. 4ou’ll also have the opportunity to meet

your audien"e members be%orehand.

4ou "an always ask you audien"e i% they see the relevan"e. -on’t be a%raid to veer %rom slides

or even "lose down )ower )oint.

5ill the podium. 4ou don’t need it. Walk around. 6ake "onne"tions, but keep notes handy.

Here are some elements o% su""ess%ul presentations

7. Stories are important. Tell one.8. Humor "an be a good tool to deepen "onne"tions.9. Improv makes things relevant in “a "ra:y way.! 4ou have to be willing to be in an

improv mode.;. 6anage your %ears. 4ou "an %ind ways to help lessen %ear.

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Michael Graber is the managing partner of the Southern Growth Studio, an innovation and

strategic growth firm based in Memphis, TN and the author of  Going Electric. Visit

www.southerngrowthstudio.com to learn more.

http://www.southerngrowthstudio.com/http://www.southerngrowthstudio.com/