By: Steve McDonald
Storytelling is an essential skill in both personal and professional life. A well-told story can leave a lasting impression, whether captivating an audience in a business presentation or engaging a crowd at an event. In his book The User’s Guide to Storytelling, Author Doug O’Brien shares insights on how anyone can become a skilled storyteller. In this interview, he delves into common pitfalls, the role of humor, and strategies for making stories memorable.
One of the significant mistakes of beginner storytellers is trying to include every detail in strict chronological order. While this might be useful for news reporting, storytelling thrives on selectivity. “A good storyteller knows to ignore certain details that don’t move the story forward and to expand on others to make them more interesting,” O’Brien explains. For example, instead of stating that a dog ran at you, you might describe it as “a ginormous hound from hell, released by an evil Bond villain to tear me apart.” This approach captures the listener’s imagination and enhances engagement.
Another common pitfall is failing to build suspense. “If there’s no reason to keep listening, the audience will disengage,” O’Brien warns. Establishing stakes and crafting a narrative that makes people want to know what happens next is key.
Humor is a powerful tool in storytelling, but it must be used judiciously, especially in professional settings. “Humor is a funny thing,” O’Brien quips. “In business, you must be careful not to insult anyone or detract from your core message inadvertently.” Instead, he recommends using humor as a light seasoning—just enough to make a presentation enjoyable without turning it into a stand-up routine. A well-placed joke or a touch of irony can break the ice and make a speaker more relatable without overshadowing the main point.
Stories have the power to transform audiences and drive business outcomes. O’Brien cites three essential business story plots:
- The Challenge Plot – Overcoming adversity or obstacles.
- The Connection Plot – Bringing people together.
- The Creativity Plot – Innovating to solve a problem.
A great example of the Creativity Plot is the story of Billy Beane, as depicted in Moneyball. “Faced with a tight budget, Beane had to outthink the richer baseball clubs,” O’Brien explains. “By applying sophisticated, data-driven scouting methods, he built a competitive team from undervalued talent.” This kind of narrative resonates because it showcases ingenuity and determination, which inspire audiences across industries.
For a story to be memorable, it needs more than just a beginning, middle, and end. According to O’Brien, impactful stories feature vivid descriptions, emotional content, and—most importantly—suspense. “You have to establish stakes that make people want to know what happens next,” he says.
Consider this example: “The mountain loomed before me. I had my hunting knife, some trail mix, and snow boots. I had to make it to the little cabin and start a fire before sundown, or I’d surely freeze to death.” This setup immediately immerses the listener and creates a sense of urgency, compelling them to stay engaged.
For those who feel they aren’t natural storytellers, O’Brien offers reassurance: storytelling is a skill that can be developed. “That’s literally why I wrote the book,” he says. “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly… at first.”
Like any skill, storytelling requires practice. O’Brien references the classic joke about a tourist asking a New York City cop for directions to Carnegie Hall. The cop’s reply? “Practice, practice, practice.” To build confidence, he suggests:
- Listening to great storytellers – Absorb their pacing, tone, and use of suspense.
- Practicing with friends – Start small and refine delivery over time.
- Focusing on key details – Avoid unnecessary information that dilutes the story’s impact.
Doug O’Brien’s insights make it clear that storytelling is not just for novelists or entertainers—it’s a critical skill for anyone who wants to communicate effectively. A well-told story can captivate, persuade, and inspire, whether in a business meeting, a speech, or a casual conversation. With practice and understanding of fundamental storytelling principles, anyone can become a master storyteller.
Get a copy of The User’s Guide to Storytelling today.
Published by Anne C.
