Have you ever felt like something is missing from your stories but you can’t put your finger on what it is? There’s a very good chance that what’s missing is known as the hourglass technique ⏳.
At the height of your story, grind everything to a halt.
Stories never land when they are rushed.
And I get it, telling a story in a presentation can feel awkward, especially when you don’t want to waste our audience’s time. But the single most effective way to ensure your message lands is with a story.
They are like a trojan horse for our ideas.
So when you’re clear on your message, the question to answer next is…
What story can I share to bring this message to life?
And upon finding the right story, you then have a responsibility to do it justice.
The best storytellers use the hourglass technique to create a sense of anticipation or tension. I can think of no better example than this 80-second clip of Christopher Walken…
Here’s how it works:
