Have you ever been in a meeting where you struggled to stay awake? Perhaps your colleague was explaining, in great detail – for the third time – why launching a new tool on a Friday was a very bad idea. His logic, timelines, and carefully crafted pie chart (that must have taken him hours) were all highly relevant and made important points, and yet you couldn’t help your eyes getting heavier and heavier… If so, you’re not alone. It’s a common trap. We assume that if the facts are solid, people will listen. But, being right isn’t the same as being heard.
If you’ve ever watched Succession, you’ll know what I mean. (And if you haven’t, picture emotionally stunted billionaires yelling across sleek boardrooms.) Your colleague – and countless others – have something in common with Kendall Roy: they’re both speaking the truth, but no one’s really listening (or can stay awake long enough to hear what’s being said). Why? Because, while facts might inform, they don’t win hearts. Stories do. And in a noisy world, connection is what makes people care.
Kendall’s greatest strength (and flaw) is his attempt to tell a compelling story. Sometimes it crashes and burns, but when he gets it right – when he taps into emotion, legacy, and meaning – people lean in. He doesn’t just say, “The numbers make sense.” He says, “This is who we could be.” That’s the secret.
If you want your colleagues and managers to truly hear you, especially when you don’t have the loudest voice in the room, or the most power, you need to connect emotionally. That’s where storytelling comes in.
Here’s how to do it:
Make it real. Instead of “This will improve process efficiency,” try: “Imagine Emma not having to stay late every Friday because the system actually works.”
Add a human angle. People remember feelings, not spreadsheets.
Keep it short, but sticky. A well-told 60-second story beats a 6-minute ramble.
In the workplace, storytelling is your best chance to cut through the noise, build buy-in, and avoid becoming just another ignored voice. What story could you share this week that might finally get your idea across, and impress your manager too?