This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication:
- The Storyteller's 7 Secrets
- LAST CHANCE: Free Presentation Secrets Workshop
- 10 Free Copies of The Presentation Playbook
- Smart Brevity
The Storyteller's 7 Secrets
Stories don’t matter in business.
That’s what I thought.
Then I became a convert.
Now I am a missionary.
What happened? I am a rational person, and the scientific evidence is clear: We are wired for stories.
For good reason: To survive, humans had to pass on wisdom from generation to generation. Humanity’s solution to this existential problem: storytelling.
In business, stories grab attention, create connections, and motivate people to take action.
Since nothing in business happens without attention, connection and motivation – nothing in business happens without stories.
Or rather, without stories, you make your life so much harder.
To tell powerful stories, understand the 7 ingredients every story needs
(These are from my brand-new storytelling course that is part of the Speak Like a CEO Academy where you can work with me and become a top 1% communicator in 90 days):
#1 A Protagonist
But here's the twist: in business storytelling, you're not the hero. Your customer, employee, or stakeholder is. You're the trusted guide who helps them succeed.
#2 A Compelling Intention
Every great story starts with a goal. What does your protagonist want to achieve? Make it clear and relatable.
#3 High Stakes
Why should your audience care? Define what's at risk and what success looks like. This creates emotional investment in the outcome.
#4 A Significant Obstacle
No meaningful journey is without challenges. What stands in the way of your protagonist achieving their goal? This creates tension and interest.
#5 Vulnerability
This is where magic happens. Showing vulnerability creates genuine connections. Share the doubts, the setbacks, the moments of uncertainty.
#6 An Element of Surprise
The human brain is wired to pay attention to the unexpected. Use "but... therefore" instead of "and then" to create turning points that signal either danger or opportunity.
#7 A Clear Transformation
Make the ending the opposite of the beginning. Show how your protagonist evolved, what they learned, how they grew.
A great place to practice storytelling: Your next presentation ↓
OLIVER'S RECOMMENDATION CORNER
LAST CHANCE: Free Presentation Secrets Workshop
I’m excited to invite you to the last Free Presentation Secrets Workshop! This session is designed to help you refine your presentation skills and boost your confidence in front of any audience.
During the workshop, you’ll gain insights into crafting impactful messages and techniques to engage your listeners effectively. Whether you're preparing for a big pitch or leading a team meeting, these skills will empower you to communicate with clarity and authority.
🗓 Date: October 11th, 2024
⏰ Time: 1pm CEST (7am EST)
🔗 Reserve your spot here to enhance your presentation skills and take your communication to the next level!
I hope to see you there!
PODCAST
10 Free Copies of The Presentation Playbook
I do a podcast to help you become a top 1% communicator. Please subscribe on Apple or Spotify.
Most presentations are instantly forgotten. Or worse, people don’t even pay attention in the first place.
In this week’s episode, I question Kris Flegg, author of The Presentation Playbook about how to win the “war for attention”.
His five essential principles—like starting with a clear objective and incorporating emotional storytelling—are gold for anyone looking to make an impact.
Kris wants us to avoid the pitfall of mediocrity. He explains how most presentations fail because they are self-serving rather than audience-focused.
SPECIAL BONUS: Kris gives away 10 free copies of The Presentation Playbook. I expect these to go quickly, so head over to his website and use the code SPEAKLIKEACEO.
Listen on Spotify and Apple:
BOOK
Smart Brevity
“Never in the history of humanity have we vomited more words in more places with more velocity.” The result: most websites, articles and posts have close to zero readers. Even a third of work emails go unread.
The solution: use the power of saying more with less. The co-creators of Politico and Axios show us how.
Writing a long book about using fewer words would be the death of irony. Fortunately, you can read Smart Brevity in one hour, and that hour will change the way you write and communicate forever.
In that spirit, I end here and wish you an inspired weekend,
Best,
Oliver
PS: Share this newsletter with your friends & colleagues here.