When I teach storytelling, two letters are constantly popping up. A & I. Surprised? No, me either. Whether I am teaching pitching, values-based messaging or storytelling, I have to talk about using AI. Or, more specifically, how not to use AI in writing.
It began with a WhatsApp message from Arne, the creative genius behind the Future Skills Academy, a global learning community. He had an idea: “Let’s run a 30-day storytelling challenge.” It was a brilliant concept. I got to work, sketching out 30 days of prompts to help people tell a story each day. We launched…
When it comes to storytelling, most of us are familiar with first-person ("I did this") and third-person ("They did that") stories. But there's another oft-overlooked and engaging point of view: second-person storytelling. Let's explore what second-person storytelling is and why it's a fantastic tool for communication professionals who want to put their audience in the driver's seat.
One of the greatest tragedies in the world is not getting what you want, and the other is getting it. I believe that was Oscar Wilde. Like most of his one-liners, it hits hard. It feels more true today than ever before in this rapid age of AI.
We all have quirks that make us who we are. Maybe your best friend always starts the day with one perfect cup of coffee, followed by an orange juice, and then waits exactly 30 minutes before eating breakfast. That's their ritual. It's something you remember about them, not because it's wildly unique, but because it's…
"This Is F****ing Fantastic!" That was the opening line of a recent phone call with a client. I burst out laughing because I'd never heard her use language considered risque for work. But I got it; she loved it, and hearing it excited me, too. Why was she so happy? I'd helped craft a new…
When was the last time you heard a story that truly resonated with you? One that pulled you in, made you feel, and left a lasting impression? Crafting a powerful story is no accident—it's a skill that can be learned and refined. I focus on that in my 'Influential Storytelling' course, an online live training program I'm excited to be running in collaboration with the team at the Future Skills Academy.
We've all been there. Someone says, "Let me tell you a story," you settle in, expecting something engaging. Then what you get is... well, a list of things that happened. While hearing about someone's day is excellent, let me clarify: a list of things that happened is not a story.
In the world of storytelling, we glorify narratives of the extraordinary - epic adventures, heroic feats, and life-altering events that seem to lie outside our everyday existence. However, the true power of storytelling resides in the simplicity of the every day, in the stories of the relatable and familiar. These stories shape our perspectives, influence…
With storytelling, smaller is bigger. I recently met a screenwriter and he told me about a project he's working on, a cross-cultural romance. In his story, a feminist from the West falls in love with a chauvinist from the East. He was having trouble creating the backstories of these characters, why they are together despite their differences. We kept coming up against sticking points and the story wasn’t working.
Storytelling Built For Innovation 