Facts don’t win people over. Stories do.
That may sting a little—especially if you’ve been trained to rely on bullet points, credentials, or polished pitches. But here’s the truth: people don’t remember data, they remember narratives.
Think about it.
In a job interview, the candidate who lists skills sounds like everyone else. The one who tells a story—of a crisis solved, a lesson learned, a win earned—that’s the one who lingers in the room long after they’ve left.
On a date, rattling off hobbies is forgettable. Sharing the story of the time you got lost in a foreign city and somehow found the best meal of your life? That’s connection.
With a future client, talking about features and numbers rarely seals the deal. But telling the story of how you helped someone just like them overcome the exact challenge they’re facing? That builds trust.
Here’s the key: you don’t need to invent anything. In fact, you shouldn’t. The power comes from choosing a true story that matches the moment.
The right story at the right time gives you control—not in a manipulative way, but in a strategic one. You’re guiding how people see you. You’re shaping the narrative they’ll walk away with.
This is the part most people miss: storytelling isn’t decoration. It’s not fluff. It’s leverage. When you master it, you’re no longer at the mercy of someone else’s assumptions. You decide what sticks.
So stop obsessing over perfect résumés, rehearsed small talk, or endless slide decks. Start asking:
What story do I need to tell right now to make this moment matter?
Because if you’re not telling the story, someone else is—and you might not like the version they write.
