Great stories focus on transformational moments, not mundane events.
Craft a compelling narrative with a clear beginning and fulfilling ending.
Vulnerability in storytelling creates genuine connections and trust with the audience.
Deep dives
Finding Meaning in Ordinary Moments
Stories do not have to involve extraordinary events to be impactful. Instead, focusing on everyday experiences can create deeper connections with others. The importance lies in uncovering the relatable and connective moments that resonate with people.
Identifying Excellent Story Components
An excellent story comprises a clear beginning that engages the audience, setting up a promise of value. The ending fulfills this promise by providing closure. By being intentional with decision-making in storytelling, individuals can craft compelling narratives without relying solely on language proficiency or complex vocabulary.
The Significance of Vulnerability in Storytelling
Vulnerability plays a crucial role in effective storytelling, fostering genuine connections with listeners. Sharing personal stories authentically allows for deeper engagement and trust. By being open and real, individuals can create a sense of closeness and encourage others to share their own experiences.
Storytelling for Leadership Impact
Storytelling is a powerful tool for leaders to inspire and connect with their teams. Leaders who share vulnerable and authentic stories can create meaningful connections and foster trust. By incorporating personal narratives into business contexts, leaders can convey messages in a compelling and memorable way, influencing their teams positively.
The Power of Storytelling in Opening Keynotes
Effective storytelling in opening keynotes involves starting with a compelling story that resonates with the central theme of the message to be conveyed. By beginning with a story that is entertaining, vulnerable, and authentic, speakers can captivate their audience and establish a strong connection. This approach allows the audience to engage emotionally and intellectually, ensuring that the message is not only heard but also remembered long after the presentation. Incorporating personal stories that align with the intended message enhances the impact and memorability of the keynote.
The Significance of Continual Learning and Vulnerability After Graduation
Post-graduation, individuals should view the completion of formal education as the commencement of self-directed learning and growth. Embracing lifelong learning ensures personal and professional development beyond academic boundaries. By identifying areas of interest and setting learning objectives, individuals can continuously expand their knowledge and skills autonomously. Furthermore, practicing vulnerability, self-reflection, and authentic storytelling fosters genuine connections and enables individuals to communicate their ideas effectively and memorably, contributing to personal and professional success.
Matthew Dicks is a Bestselling author, a professional storyteller, and a teacher. He is a 52-time Moth StorySLAM winner & a 7-time GrandSLAM champion. He’s recognized as one of the greatest storytellers in the world.
Notes:
Every great story is about a five-second moment of our life. The purpose of every great story is to bring a singular moment of transformation and realization to the greatest clarity possible.
"Let me tell you about my vacation to Europe" is not the beginning of a story, despite what many seem to believe. This is merely an attempt to review the itinerary of your previous vacation
But if someone said, "While I was in Europe, I met a taxi driver who changed the way I think about my parents forever," that is potentially a great story.
“People are not attracted to people who do easy things. They are attracted to people who do hard things. It’s hard to be vulnerable. That takes courage. And that’s why we are drawn to it.”
Being vulnerable opens people up.
The beginning and end of a story:
Beginning - Promise that what I'm going to say is worth your time
End - The fulfillment of that process
How to put a great story together?
Start at the end... The five-second moment. "What are you aiming at?" You have to know that to craft the beginning.
Use a thesis statement -- "I used to be... and I realized..."
Jurassic Park is not a movie about dinosaurs. It's about love.
How to open a story:
Try to start your story with forward movement whenever possible. DON'T start by setting expectations (“This is hilarious, “you need to hear this,” “you’re not going to believe this.”)
Requirements of a personal story:
Change - your story must reflect change over time. It can’t simply be a series of remarkable events. Stories that fail to reflect change over time are known as anecdotes.
Your story only - not that of others
The dinner table test - Be human
Homework for life — 5 minutes at the end of each day. “If I had to tell a story from today — a 5-minute story onstage about something that took place over the course of this day. What would it be?
Homework for life slows time down...
Humor -- It keeps your audience’s attention. “The goal is not to tell a funny story. The goal is to tell a story that moves an audience emotionally.”
“A written story is like a lake. Readers can step in and out of the water at their leisure, and the water always remains the same. An oral story is like a river. It is a constantly flowing torrent of words.” -- “To keep your listener from stepping out of your river of words to make meaning, simplification is essential. Starting as close to the end as possible helps to make this happen.”
During a talk at a school in Brazil, Matt was asked why he shares so much of himself? (Writing novels, stories, teaching, blog posts, podcasts). And he thought for a while and then said, “I think I’m trying to get the attention of a mother who never paid me any attention and is now dead and a father who left me as a boy and never came home.”
Your first job as a speaker (at home, on stage, or at work) is to be entertaining...
Advice: When you graduate college, it's the end of your assessed learning. What do you want to study next? It will be on you to track. It won't be assessed by others... What do you want to learn next?
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