Issue 9 - October 28th 2024

This week, I invite you to consider storytelling when...

You need to present boring topic (for example statistics)

Statistics is a polarizing topic: few people love it, some don't believe in it, and most of us try to avoid it at all costs. Not surprisingly, it is the data lovers who usually present statistics - and wonder why their audience literally falls asleep during the presentation.

Personally, I love math. My colleagues can attest that I am always eager to dig into data and marvel at the insights others have drawn from it. However, I am in the minority. For some of my readers, tables and statistics might only have a sex appeal comparable to page 31 in the local phone book. Unfortunately, it is all types of personalities that a data-presenter needs to activate. But how? You guessed it: with storytelling.

Behind almost every number which managers have to present there is a human being. It is in our DNA to care more about our species than about an abstract numerical order. Once you give your numbers a face and talk about the person(s) behind them, they become much more interesting to your audience.

Here is an example:

This is the Data:

And this is the Story:

"This afternoon, 6,500 young men and women will be married, and with inflation at less than half of what it was just four years ago, they can look forward with confidence to the future." (Ronald Reagan 1984).

Reagan's "Morning in America" ad was effective because his story wasn't just about statistics or policy details any more; it was about painting a picture of a better, brighter future that resonated with people's hopes and dreams.

Present your statistics like Reagan and your audience will respond. You never know, one day you will be called a great communicator (and even discover your secret love for statistics).

About The Troubadour

Storytelling can be a powerful tool - even for those of us who are not professional writers. There are numerous books, videos and classes on the subject. Typically, they provide insights on HOW to draft and present a story.

The Troubadour is about WHEN to leverage storytelling.

The use cases and examples presented in the newsletters are all based on my personal experience as someone (a manager) who has the responsibility to archive a business outcome by leveraging a team of humans. Although telling stories usually was not something I was compensated for, I found the techniques superior to many other means of communication.

The Troubadour is about storytelling as a MANAGEMENT TOOL.

Storytelling is often taught by journalists, actors or others who were professionally trained to excel in this art. What I am sharing are my own observations, lessons learned and numerous sources reviewed on the subject.

The Troubadour is based on my PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS A MANAGER.

You like The Troubadour? Please forward to anyone who also could be interested.

About Me

Storytelling has been part of my professional life for more than 20 years. Although I was never trained to become a professional writer (or narrator), relying on stories to communicate better has always felt natural to me.

Besides of blogs and articles, I published a novel (The Lion of Ishtar) which is available in book stores with the ISBN?9783757809959 and 9783757881603 (Book 1 and 2).

Outside of my day job, I am also coaching with special focus on storytelling.

About the Logo: For centuries, troubadours were the dominant tool of mass communication. Their ability to (select &) present content ultimately determined their income (and survival). Troubadours were masters of storytelling.