11 Tweets 3 reads Aug 31, 2022
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.
Good leaders are great storytellers.
6 simple steps for powerful storytelling:
1/ Start with "Why"
Nobody cares what you can do, everybody cares what you can do for them.
Leading with why draws the attention of the people you can help.
2/ Pass the "Bar Test"
Grab a friend who's completely unfamiliar with what you're doing.
Buy them a drink & see if they grasp your story.
You'll use direct language over corporate jargon.
Look for body language: leaning in, nodding, agreeing.
You'll find what resonates.
3/ Craft your skeleton
Run the "Bar Test" a couple of times.
You'll quickly find your skeleton emerge.
These are the main points to make your story memorable.
Now focus on these essential elements:
• Connecting line
• Reflection
• Put them in the room
4/ Connecting line
This is why you're telling the story in the first place.
Find your highlight reel and be vulnerable to build trust.
Example: Recall failure when you face a similar challenge.
This creates psychological safety to reassure everyone involved.
5/ Reflection
Tell them how you feel.
This will make them feel a certain way.
Example: "A lot of our clients found this most beneficial..."
They'll "lean in" and find you credible.
6/ Put them in the room
Take your listener on a journey: build suspense and create drama.
Emphasise hope, potential and possibility.
Example: "You'll have X amount of equity if you join."
By contemplating ownership, they'll have to suffer a loss if they don't come on board.
TL;DR:
1/ Start with "Why"
2/ Pass the "Bar Test"
3/ Craft your skeleton
4/ Connecting line
5/ Reflection
6/ Put them in the room
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