Product Managers are great storytellers! We write realistic fiction for product planning. We build mystery and excitement to pitch an idea. We provide informative writing with detailed product requirements. We share reflective truth and insights in product performance reports. We have heart to heart dialog when things are not going well.

I have spent many years perfecting this art and there is still so much to learn! I am grateful to find master storyteller James Whittaker and Dale Carnegie institute earlier in my PM career. They opened my eyes to an amazing world of stories. In the process, I found my unique style. The best way to know your style is through the lens of others in the form of unbiased appreciation.

Few years ago, I was driving a project which soon became my area of passion. As Satya Nadella describes, I started finding deeper meaning in my work.

We were conducting a workshop with 70 people around the company to build the excitement for the project. Everyone in the workshop had a fair bit of skepticism and curiosity. It was my job to open the workshop, share the goals, walk people through the logistics and then hand it over to our project sponsor William Stasior.

I was a little nervous and thinking about the best opening. Setting the right tone was key to maximize the impact of the workshop. While thinking, I remembered the concept from the book Sapiens. Which was something like “Our ancestors developed the art of tool building to improve productivity which enabled them to climb up the food chain.”

My project’s mission aligned quite well with it. “Use AI to automate mundane tasks for users”.  Bingo! I found my opening statement. I used the metaphor to open the workshop and shared why it matters to me.

As soon as our segment ended William pinged me and said, “What an opening, pleasantly surprising start to our workshop!”.

I was not consciously applying any storytelling framework.  With so many people staring, there was no chance I would remember any of it anyways. I just cared very deeply about the topic. It meant more than just a work item. When you speak with clarity on why it matters to you there is automatic transformation in your story!

Your eyes sparkle.Your body language becomes relaxed and your tone projects confidence. Your brain starts processing the environment and gives you the right clues on how to say, what to say and how to connect with your audience.

So, next time you have a super important presentation or an interview or a crucial conversation, just ask a simple question “What does this mean to me?” Wait for that answer to appear, scan your room and start talking from your heart!