You buy a ticket to go to a conference.
Two famous motivational speakers are headlining the event.
You are excited to see both of them speak.
The first speaker comes onstage and says a lot of really positive things.
“Go after your dreams!” “There is nothing stopping you!” “You can do anything you set your mind to!” and so on.
You listen. You agree. You applaud. The first speaker takes a final bow and you think, “Well, that was very nice!”
The second speaker comes onstage and you wait for another flood of positive, encouraging statements. But this speaker is different. This speaker tells you a true story.
It’s a true story from her own life. A story about a dream, a quest, a huge obstacle, a horrific betrayal, a time when she nearly lost all hope, and what it took to pull through.
Your jaw hangs open. You can’t believe what she has survived and what she has been able to accomplish despite unthinkable pain and adversity.
When she ends her talk by saying, “I’m telling you: you can do anything you set your mind to,” you explode onto your feet along with the rest of the audience. Standing ovation. Your heart is pounding and for the first time in your life you truly and fully believe that anything is possible. Sure, you’ve heard those words before… but now? You have a reason to believe.
The difference here? It’s pretty obvious.
The first speaker stated the facts. (“You can do anything!”)
The second speaker told you a story. (“You can do anything and here’s why…”)
If you want someone to listen to you, remember you, feel emotionally connected to you, and feel excited to be in your presence, simply “stating the facts” is not going to cut it. You’ve got to tell a story. Ideally: a true story from your own life.
Telling a powerful story can mean the difference between getting called back for a second job interview, or not, getting hired by a client, or not, securing funding for your concept, meeting the right people, getting selected for a speaking gig… or not.
Feel like you’re not a “good storyteller”? Don’t get defeated. Like anything else, it’s a skill that can be acquired and refined.
Here are some of my all-time favorite resources on the art of storytelling:
• One of my favorite TED talks of all time. Watch it now — with Kleenex nearby.
• Listening to brilliant storytellers can make you a better speaker, too. Here are some great podcasts. Here are a couple more that I love.
• Here are some smart tips on how to tell a story that can land you a job — or help you garner support for your new start-up business.
• Still not sure how to tell the story behind your new business? More insights, right here.
• Workbooks with fill-in-the-blank templates to help you craft sensational stories, wow prospective employers, and get the job you want. (Definitely check out this one and this one, in particular.)
You might think your life is “boring” or that you don’t have any “interesting stories” to tell. Let me assure you: you are wrong.

You do have stories to tell. You’ve lived. You’ve been tested. You have fallen and have gotten back up. You’ve learned things about yourself and the world. You’ve got stories, just waiting to be told.
Tell them.
People will respond differently to your words, immediately.
Your career will never be the same.
Find great work. Do great work. Unlock every door in your way.
P.S. Got a major career milestone coming up — like a job interview, a speaking engagement, or a business launch? Want to tell a jaw-dropping story that will grip your audience by the heart — but struggling to find the right words?
Talk to me about getting professional editing for your job application, website content, or presentation. I’d be honored to help you tell your story with even more clarity and power.
Image: Willie Franklin.