What exactly does this mean?
I feel like this speech is entirely about me, and I was warned not to make myself the protagonist of the narrative.
My coach advised against talking about oneself.
According to the expert, no one wants to hear about my personal experiences and that they have no place in a professional atmosphere.
I believe that if I’m speaking to a business audience, all of my anecdotes ought to be related to business.
These are a some of the remarks that I have heard over the years as a coach for public speaking and presentation abilities. Many of us have learned that the presentation’s hero shouldn’t be the presenter. Although this is sound advice, many speakers have misunderstood it and may be suffering economic losses as a result.
Hero has two distinct connotations.
Okay, so it definitely has even more than two definitions, but for the purposes of this discussion, I’ll use the meaning that business people would associate with the word when referring to a speech or presentation.
the protagonist of a tale. As an English major in college, I heard about the hero of a novel and his or her journey to come out on the other side of some conflict from teachers like Joseph Campbell, the author of The Hero’s Journey. In this context, the hero is merely the story’s protagonist, an element that is essential for a tale to qualify as a tale. You are always the hero of the story when you tell a tale about yourself in which something bad occurred TO you. Absolutely fine.
the protagonist of a tale. Your story’s hero has a distinct connotation. The person who rescues the day is the situation’s hero in this sense. one who complies with all requirements. Whom we ought to all aspire to. You become the protagonist of this situation when you tell a tale about how you saved a large number of individuals. When you recount a period when you made a mistake at your first job and your manager offered you another chance, the boss is portrayed as the story’s hero. Making yourself the protagonist of a tale can undermine your capacity to engage and connect with your audience. Why? People don’t like braggers, and it sounds like you are bragging. The capacity to forge an emotional bond with others—to make them like you—is the foundation of your ability to persuade, inspire, influence, teach, sell, and other skills. People that simply stand up there and speak about how terrific they are, how good they look, and how much money they make typically don’t get along with the audience. If you consider normal social situations, it makes some logic. On stage, the same rules apply.
Be careful not to play the quiet hero.
It doesn’t help you connect with your audience to brag while using phrases like “I was so privileged to make this much money” or “I am so humbled to be the most requested speaker in the world.” It is still perceived as boasting. There is a distinction between boasting and sharing a victory with assurance. Ask your peers for their honest opinions if you’re not sure which side you belong to.
Should I share my own experiences during a presentation?
When told that they shouldn’t be the protagonist of their own story, many people assume that this means they shouldn’t talk about themselves. I strongly object. A personal story is the quickest way to get there if influence is based on emotion (and it is), persuasion is built on trust (and it is), and selling a truth is about building a relationship and rapport first (and it is).
It is said that business is not personal. Wrong. It is incredibly intimate. From people, people purchase. People people like, feel they know, trust, and believe. Knowing someone is like briefly entering their world. to have a life of their own. to understand their suffering to establish harmony. The best method to influence people and win business is not by giving canned speeches that anyone could deliver. FIRST, WE BUY YOU. Show us who you are, please.
Business storytelling is a tool.
You can infuse your facts with emotion by telling a story. making what you are selling personal to the customer. Instead of focusing on whether you believe the tale is the proper one to tell, evaluate the tool based on how well it can support your argument. Share a personal tale about you and your spouse if it will help you make your point. Influence, not choosing the finest story, is the objective. Because they deal with difficulties we can all connect to, personal stories are frequently the most impactful anecdotes in a presentation or speech.
You know where to find me if you need assistance creating your captivating company story.
To learn presentation skills, sales training, and tips on public speaking, enroll in StoryImpactAcademy.com