The Stories Audiences Remember Aren’t Just The Words You Use
Michael Davis
President, Keynote Speaker, Presentation And Storytelling Coach For Leaders and Sales Professionals | Speaker's Advocate
(Top 10 Presentation Mistakes Series: #6 – Too Much “Tell,” Not Enough “Show”)
Picture this…
Maria is nervous. She’s standing in 125 people - her new team. Senior leadership is sitting in the front row.
It’s her first time leading a regional team meeting, and she wants prove she has what it takes.
She shares this part of story:
“My manager and I had a tough conversation.
“We didn’t agree on the topic. I knew I was right - I had the data to back me up. I felt frustrated.
“But eventually, we worked it out.”
The audience politely nods. They’re still looking at Maria.
But, she can tell, they’re not engaged.
Her other stories fell flat, too.
Why Didn’t Her Narrative Land?
She shared a relatable situation.
She highlighted a moment of tension.
She told that the conflict was overcome.
She wanted the audience to learn how to lead under pressure.
But, she summarized the events instead of allowing her team to experience it.
No dialogue.
No reactions.
No emotion.
The story read like a recap.
Not a revelation.
The brain doesn’t engage with summaries—it sparks to visuals, tension, and detail.
Engage Their Brains
If you want your audience to feel your story so that they remember it…
Don’t report it… relive it.
✅ Set the scene
✅ Use everyday conversational dialogue
✅ Show emotional cues — silence, posture, tone
Imagine Maria's story like this instead:
I say, “Mark, I’ve reviewed the numbers three times. They’re solid.”
Mark (arms crossed) says, “That’s not how I see it.”
(Deep breath) “I’m not asking you to see it my way — I’m asking you to look at the data.”
Mark (Leaning back, quiet for a few seconds) says, “We’ve been going round and round on this for almost an hour. (Pause) “Walk me through your plan again.”
Understanding this is written on paper, you can still get the idea.
With dialogue, your audience is in the room with you.
They feel as if they’re right next to you experiencing the moment.
That’s how stories move from heard to felt.
And remembered.
Need help punching up your story with dialogue and a “you are there” experience?
That’s what we do in a Story Tune-Up. Schedule your session
P.S. Don’t want to wait to read the other presentation mistakes?
Listen to me share mistakes numbers 10 to 6 on the Unforgettable Presentations podcast. To hear the episode, CLICK HERE
To listen to numbers 5 to 1, CLICK HERE
Helping Business leaders and Educators build Championship Teams. | Keynote Speaker, Workshops and Coaching | Author
3moDialogue and creating emotion is so important in sharing stories that connect with people. Thanks for sharing.
✅ Keynote Speaker ✅ Author of Fry Your Chickens!™ ✅ Helping Teams Lower Stress, Laugh More & Perform at Their Peak ✅ Now booking 2026! Message me for details.
3moRelive it! We did that last night at dinner and what do you know? I uncovered a couple more stories!
CREATIVITY/INNOVATIVE SPEAKER WHERE YOUR IDEAS TAKE FLIGHT
3moMichael love your expression: people "spark(s) to visuals, tension, and detail". The story is just as important as the lesson.
President, Keynote Speaker, Presentation And Storytelling Coach For Leaders and Sales Professionals | Speaker's Advocate
3moIf you want to supercharge the impact of your stories, stop reporting, and start taking your listeners into your scenes. Create a "yu are there" experience.