How to Be Awesome at Your Job
1029: How to Tell Stories that Inspire and Influence with Anjali Sharma
Feb 3, 2025
Anjali Sharma, Managing Director of Narrative: The Business of Stories, shares her expertise in crafting impactful narratives for organizations. She discusses why remarkable storytelling isn’t the ultimate goal, emphasizing relevance and audience connection instead. Anjali reveals the difference between inspiring and influencing stories, advocating for a journalistic approach. She also highlights the importance of consistent practice, showing how effortless storytelling can drive engagement and change in the workplace.
40:13
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Quick takeaways
- Effective storytelling should drive action by resonating with the audience's experiences rather than merely showcasing the storyteller's skills.
- Distinguishing whether to inspire or influence shapes the narrative, affecting how the message should be tailored for maximum impact.
Deep dives
The True Purpose of Storytelling
Effective storytelling is not about impressing an audience with dazzling narratives but rather about inspiring them to take action based on relevant insights. Compliments on storytelling skills can often indicate that the focus was on the storyteller's style instead of the message conveyed. Anjali Sharma emphasizes that what listeners should walk away with is the clarity of a relevant point, driving them to act in alignment with that message. The goal is resonance—the shared understanding that speaks to common experiences—rather than mere applause for the entertainer.
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