Powerful Persuasion Begins with a Good Story

Are you a good storyteller?

Have you tried to get your child to go to bed on time?

What about enticing a certain someone to date you?

Or…telling senior management that you deserve a raise and a promotion?

How much of your communication involves persuading and influencing others? Think about it. The most efficient and effective way to persuade someone is through storytelling. 

Why? Because an excellent storyteller will quickly win over the heart and mind of the listener and influence that listener to see things from their perspective.

How?  Although humans have unique experiences, they do NOT experience unique emotions.  We all experience the same emotions: sadness, joy, betrayal, surprise, disappointment etc.  This universal emotion combined with an engaging delivery of the story in real time (present tense), synchronizes the teller and listener’s brains together in an identical brainwave pattern. 

In fact, science has proven it.

Stop now and recall a story that influenced you.  The reason you were able to think of that story is because you felt emotions when you heard it.  Stories that invoke your emotion increase retention of that story exponentially. 

It’s simple but not easy. Telling a story in a manner that’s engaging, moving and relevant is a skill that can be learned.  Some people are born with a natural aptitude but everyone can learn how to tell the story.  Persuasion and influence are the natural by-product of moving your listener into empathy to your perspective.

Spread the love

Similar posts

Thinking on Your Feet

Thinking on your feet, also known as being quick-witted or spontaneous, is important in many situations, such as public speaking, negotiations, impromptu speeches, or spontaneous debates. Here are some tips to help you develop your ability to think on your feet: Be Prepared: Preparation is vital to success. The more you know about a topic, the more equipped you are to handle unexpected questions or challenges. Read up on current events and familiarize yourself with

Spread the love

How to Prepare for a Big Four Partner Interview

A partner interview is part of the recruitment strategy for the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms in the US, (PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte, and Ernst & Young) and is the last stage in what can often be a lengthy recruitment process. The purpose of the partner interview is to make sure the candidate is a good fit for the company. There may be some preset questions – and usually a short presentation – but the interview itself

Spread the love

How to be a Dynamic Panelist

  Are you a panelist or moderator at an upcoming conference? Watch this short video by Executive Communication Coach Melody Elkin and learn how to be a dynamic panelist.   Spread the love

Spread the love