(First published in Feb 2024)

During the month of February, we'll be talking about how to be more fun and engaging.

First Topic: Tell a story.

I took a long time for me to learn this, even though I've been hearing people say it for 30 years.

I used to think that dazzling an audience with facts and figures and quotes and charts and “reasons why” would make them trust me and clearly see that I was the guy to help them with their problem.

I slowly learned that it didn't, because they were having a hard time relating to me. People don't work with people they can't relate to. Unless, of course, they're ordered to like in the military. As a retired Navy guy, that part was kind of lost on me.

So what DO you do???

Use a story to illustrate your points and you'll have people listening more intently, relating to you and seeing how you are the right person to fix their situation.

The story does, however, need to be the RIGHT story, have all the right parts and hit an emotional chord about “a transformation” in the audience’s minds. That’s when you’ll crush it.

So try this approach next time you’re setting up a meeting, speech or presentation for your company or an outside group. You’ll create a much more engaged audience and see much different results.

PS: If you want a recommendation on a great book on this topic, please contact me.