As a professional, especially in STEM related fields, the idea of being a "storyteller" to succeed might not sit well with you. I get it. I don’t use the term myself—'storytelling' can feel like spinning the truth, putting words over actions. But how do you communicate effectively without compromising who you are? That’s where NARRATIVE comes in. Your story is the unchangeable sequence of events—the facts of your journey. It’s not something you should, or even can, alter without losing a sense of truth. Your narrative, however, is how you frame those facts. It’s about perspective, structure, and the order in which you share events. Imagine you’re filming a documentary. Take an example: Story: Emily dreams of becoming a chef. Despite financial difficulties and no family support, she works hard, takes odd jobs, and eventually enrolls in culinary school. After years of dedication, she opens her own successful restaurant. Narrative 1: “I wanted to be a chef, but life had other plans. Late nights, odd jobs, and endless doubt—it was a grind. But I kept going, driven by the vision of my own restaurant. Today, that dream is my reality.” Narrative 2: Emily’s restaurant quickly became a local success, achieving a 30% profit margin within six months and serving over 200 customers daily. But this success wasn’t an accident. It was the result of three years of disciplined savings from working multiple jobs, which allowed her to invest $50,000 into launching her restaurant. Same story, different impact. Here's the thing.. If your business depends on your constant communication, developing a sense of narrative is non-negotiable. The right narrative ensures your message hits home without changing who you are. Yours, Sagi |
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Whether it's an investor pitch or a software product, narrative transforms randomness into harmony. It’s the difference between random facts and a clear, engaging experience. So, how do you develop a sense of narrative? Start by understanding what happens when something grabs your attention: Multiple brain regions are activated, simulating actions and emotions. Dopamine is released, driving engagement and focus. Mirror neurons fire, making us "experience" the story. The amygdala and...
When pitching to investors, spend as little time as possible talking about your solution. Sounds counterintuitive? Imagine this: A mom from your daughter’s 7th-grade class mentions something she bought that drastically reduced her daughter’s social media usage — down to almost zero! Now, when her daughter comes home from school, she puts her phone aside, preferring to spend time interacting directly with friends and siblings. She's visibly happier, and her teacher even says she’s more engaged...
I'm allergic to any formulaic approaches to pitching, like the common 'problem-solution-traction-team' template. Not because it's uncreative, but because it's UNSCIENTIFIC. These top-down frameworks are too simplistic and lack the rigor tech professionals typically display in other parts of their work. What's top down vs bottom up thinking? Imagine you get up at night to get a sip of cold water. You have a sufficient mental map of your apartment so you don't even turn on the lights - that's...