Storytelling in Presentations: The Story You Shouldn't Tell (Part 1)
Today, I want to share a controversial take on storytelling in presentations that might ruffle some feathers among "presentation experts." But hear me out, because this perspective could transform the way you connect with your audience.
The Controversial Take
Here's the gist: the one story you should NEVER tell in a presentation is the one that makes you cry. Yes, you read that right. While emotional stories are powerful and can deeply resonate with your audience, shedding tears during your presentation can actually undermine your message.
Why Emotional Stories Matter
First, let's clarify why we tell emotional stories in the first place. The goal is not to make ourselves feel something, but to create an emotional experience for our audience. It's about taking them on a journey, helping them feel the emotions and learn the lessons we want to convey.
The Problem with Crying
When you start crying during your presentation, the focus shifts from the story to you. Your audience stops thinking about the journey you're taking them on and starts worrying about you. They wonder if you're okay and mentally try to support you through your struggle. This shift in focus turns your important message into a therapy session, with you as the patient on the couch instead of the person delivering valuable insights.
Maintaining Control
Crying during a presentation shows a lack of control and can be seen as irresponsible. It disrupts the flow of your story and prevents your audience from fully immersing themselves in the experience. Instead of learning from your struggle, they become distracted by your emotional display.
The Right Approach
So, what's the right approach? It's perfectly fine to tell an emotional story, but you need to maintain your composure. Your goal should be to make your audience feel the emotion and take the journey with you, without losing control of your own emotions. If your audience cries, that's a good thing—it means they were fully immersed in the feeling of it all, which is exactly what you want.
