Telling a compelling story is how you build credibility for yourself and your ideas. It’s how you inspire an audience and lead an organization.
…It will take practice, but when done well, good storytelling can make a major impact on your team, your organization, and your entire career
Jeff Gothelf, co-author, Lean UX
Takeaways of Note:
5 common characteristics offered of effective stories…
1. Be audience-specific – know target audience… what they’re curious about, what worries them, what motivates them (quick, informal conversations can help figure it out)
2. Contextualize story – tie to broader vision, background, & future strategy
3. Humanize story – personal anecdotes can lighten mood & illustrate perspective more effectively… helping audience feel less skeptical & more open to your ideas4. Action-oriented – giving practical advice & clear direction, empowers audience to take action & make your story their own
5. Keep it humble – builds trust by demonstrating you’re not claiming to have all answers, and you’re willing to learn & adjust as needed