One of the most underrated storytelling skills is truly knowing who’s listening
Most people think storytelling is about being engaging.
But here’s what I’ve been reminded time and time again, especially when my presentations or training sessions didn’t land:
🤝 “Connection before content”.
Yes, good content is a given and confident delivery matters. But what separates a good storyteller from a great one is this:
They understand who they’re speaking to.
Because the same story lands differently depending on who’s in front of you. Tell the exact same story, in the exact same way, to:
→ A client.
→ A peer.
→ A room of senior managers.
… even a good story will fall flat.
But when you adapt to the listener, the story doesn’t just sound good - it lands.
Before your next conversation, presentation, or training, ask yourself:
“Who is this really for?”
At its core, this is really about, “empathy in communication”.
👥 It’s about taking the time first to understand your audience:
→ What do they care about?
→ What are they worried about?
→ What are they hoping for?
🗣️Only then do you shape the story.
Contributor: Kausern Hieu