The Neuroscience of Storytelling: Why It’s a Must-Have Leadership Skill
Susan Lindner
Global Keynote Speaker | Host, "The Innovation Storytellers Show" We help innovation leaders become amazing storytellers to get the resources, runway and recognition they deserve.
Why do some presentations leave you inspired while others are forgotten minutes later? The answer lies in neuroscience. Stories activate more areas of the brain than facts alone, triggering trust, enhancing memory, and driving motivation. For leaders, storytelling isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.
When a leader shares a story, they foster “neural coupling,” a phenomenon where the storyteller’s brain syncs with the audience’s. This alignment builds trust and makes messages more memorable. Oxytocin and dopamine—two chemicals released during storytelling—are the unsung heroes here. Oxytocin enhances connection, while dopamine improves focus and retention.
Leaders like Mary Barra at General Motors have mastered this. Barra has consistently used stories to communicate GM’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, turning complex strategies into relatable narratives.
How Leaders Can Harness Neuroscience:
Storytelling isn’t just an art—it’s a science that every leader should master.
Author, Speaker, Founder, Organizational Innovation
13 小时前Love this Susan Lindner! In addition, there is cortisol which gets released when we perceive a threat (conflict part of a story) which heightens our alertness and makes us focus.
Technologist, Innovator, Founder, Author of The PRFAQ Framework book.
1 天前Better than converting a presentation into a story, which often leads to incoherent elements, use a narrative, such as the PRFAQ, to help you think critically, articulate ideas, and inspire people (for the exact reasons you explained).