The Storytelling Equation: Content + Structure + Delivery

Are you serious about becoming an influential storyteller?

You must be somewhat serious or else you wouldn't be here ??...

In less than 3 minutes, I'm going to share 10+ years of wisdom from my experience mastering the art of leadership storytelling and coaching 600+ professionals.

Impactful leadership storytelling requires 3 ingredients:

1?? Content: These are your life-defining moments. Your ups and downs that shape you.

2?? Structure: Order these moments logically so the audience can follow along.

3?? Delivery: How you bring the story to life (words, voice, body language)

Here's the most important point.

You need all three ingredients for an impactful story.

It's similar to a peanut butter jelly sandwich. You need peanut butter, jelly, and bread. If you're missing one of those ingredients, it's not a peanut butter jelly sandwich.

Now I'll explain why...

Scenario 1: Content + Delivery - Structure = Unorganized

Without a logical structure, the audience can't follow along using the left side of their brain. If the audience can't follow your story, how will they understand your message?

Remember, you need a fast start in the beginning to capture attention. As you raise suspense, introduce the struggle (conflict) near the middle. Then, describe the outcome or how the struggle resolves and end with the Aha Moment or lesson for the audience.

Scenario 2: Content + Structure - Delivery = Thoughts

Thoughts sound perfect in your brain. But it's another thing to communicate the message through words. We've all been in those situations where your message doesn't sound exactly how you imagined it in your mind. That's because the delivery is not polished.

If you don't bring your story to life and deliver it effectively, your message falls apart.

Bringing the story to life is about injecting emotion and feeling into the story to enhance its meaning. This is how you connect to the right side of the audience's brain.

Scenario 3: Structure + Delivery - Content = Non-message

Stories without any real life-changing moments are vague. When stories are vague, the messages are not relatable. When the messages are not relatable, they don't resonate with people. When messages don't resonate, people don't feel any connection. Without connection, there is no action.

Scenario 4: Content + Structure + Delivery = Impactful story

When you structure content and deliver it effectively, you maximize a story's impact. Remember to highlight the relevant details in a logical order and bring your story to life through words, vocal variety, and body language.

By opening your heart and mind to your audience, they will do the same in return.

Now is the point when you ask yourself which ingredient(s) you lack.

Believe me, there is always room for improvement...

p.s. Here's a visual to help you remember the storytelling equation.