By now, most of you probably know that storytelling is essential for the success of (most) presentations. If you’re not up to speed on that fact, here are a few articles that can serve as your crash course on why storytelling matters in business and public speaking situations.
(If you’re not in the mood for a crash course, then just take my word for it – storytelling matters. A lot.)
Crash Course: Why Storytelling Matters For Presentations & Business
1. The Neuroscience of Storytelling
2. The Science of Storytelling For Presentations (Infographic)
3. The Irrefutable Case for Storytelling in Presentations – Part 1
4. The Irrefutable Case for Storytelling in Presentations – Part 2
5. A Surprising Reason To Tell Stories During Presentations
6. The Unexpected Influence of Stories Told at Work
7. The Science of Storytelling: What Listening to a Story Does to Our Brains
8. The Power of Storytelling: How We Got 300% More People To Read Our Content
9. 3 Reasons Storytelling Is the Key to Everything
Now that we are all in agreement that stories should at least be considered for inclusion in every presentation, here are 5 TED Talks to inspire and also empower you to take the plunge into storytelling for the sake of your presentations and business goals.
5 TED Talks To Inspire You To Tell Stories During Presentations
1. Shawn Achor: The Happy Secret To Better Work
Summary: We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.
* Shawn Achor demonstrates the power of opening a presentation with a personal story.
2. Simon Sinek: Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe
Summary: What makes a great leader? Management theorist Simon Sinek suggests, it’s someone who makes their employees feel secure, who draws staffers into a circle of trust. But creating trust and safety — especially in an uneven economy — means taking on big responsibility.
* Simon Sinek demonstrates the value of opening with a story that is borrowed from someone else’s experiences.
3. Andrew Stanton: The Clues To A Great Story
Summary: Filmmaker Andrew Stanton (“Toy Story,” “WALL-E”) shares what he knows about storytelling — starting at the end and working back to the beginning. *****Contains graphic language.
* Andrew Stanton reveals a secret for finding a great story to share.
4. Tan Le: My Immigration Story
Summary: In 2010, technologist Tan Le took the TEDGlobal stage to demo a powerful new interface. But now, at TEDxWomen, she tells a very personal story: the story of her family — mother, grandmother and sister — fleeing Vietnam and building a new life.
* Tan Le demonstrates the appeal of conveying a big idea with a story that runs the length of an entire presentation.
5. Anand Giridharadas: A Tale Of Two Americas. And The Mini-Mart Where They Collided
Summary: Ten days after 9/11, a shocking attack at a Texas mini-mart shattered the lives of two men: the victim and the attacker. In this stunning talk, Anand Giridharadas, author of “The True American,” tells the story of what happened next. It’s a parable about the two paths an American life can take, and a powerful call for reconciliation.
* Anand Giridharadas demonstrates the potential of turning a tragedy into the most important element of a presentation.
Conclusion:
If you’re ready to start crafting stories for your presentations, here are a few articles to help you get started as a storyteller. If you have additional questions about how to use stories throughout your presentations, drop us a line, or tweet us. We are happy to help make your storytelling dreams a reality.
3 Storytelling Tips from Acclaimed Writer Burt Helm
Storytelling Ideas for Presentations
5 Storytelling Tips for Presentations
6 Rules For Great Storytelling
Pitch Your Idea With The ‘Star Wars’ Method Of Storytelling
6 Ways to Tell Stories with Data Throughout the Customer Lifecycle
8 Storytelling Secrets Every Business Leader Should Know
Six Tips To Telling A Better Business Story
