Nancy Duarte is one of my all-time favorite experts in communication. Her book Resonate should be required reading for anyone who gets up to speak. I went to Labs just to hear her, and she didn’t disappoint.
Nancy began with a basic question: How do I say things that change the world? She posits that every speech, sermon, etc. should follow the basic three act story arc if we want to connect with our audience:
Likeable hero | Encounter roadblocks | Emerge Transformed
Every innovation we have was once somebody’s Big Idea. The person who had the idea somehow made it tangible. We can learn to do that!
If you’re speaking, you should have a singular BIG IDEA. That big idea is comprised of your unique point of view and what’s at stake for your audience if they don’t adopt your idea. Put this big idea into a single sentence.
Next, define your audience’s journey. Where are they, and where will they be when you’re done?
Story is the vehicle that will move your audience from where they are to where you want to take them.
Ask yourself, “Who are these likable people & who do I want them to be?"
Do you know your audience? Do you know what kind of persons they are, what they struggle with? Make sure to incorporate this into your talk.
Now you’re ready to begin. You need to incorporate Story. That’s how we move people to act on our Big Idea.
Every story has beginning, a middle and an end. Our sermons should do. There ought to be a clear, obvious flow to our communication.
Remember that the audience is the hero of this journey. They have the control and power. If they decide to disregard your idea, then all your work is wasted. This should lead to humility and deference.
You are not the hero of your sermon or talk. Your audience is. You are their mentor. You are Master Yoda.
They are Luke Skywalker!
In stories, the mentor helps the hero get unstuck OR brings a magical gift OR brings a special tool to help them complete their quest. When's the last time someone felt like that after one of my sermons?
The Hero’s Journey starts in the ordinary world with:
- Call to adventure – this world isn’t all there is. There’s another world waiting out there!
- Refusal of the call – your audience will have some natural resistance. USE IT!
- Meeting the mentor – Remember: that’s you. Come along side and offer help!
What will it take to convince your audience to cross the threshold into the
Gospel world?
In the same way that a
narrative plot has a clear structure, so too does good communication.
According to Nancy, the speaker must consistently move back and forth between the world of what is (on the bottom) and the world of what could be (the top, the new bliss). Doing this well is the Hero’s call to adventure.
Use the structure to acknowledge your audience’s natural resistance. It's like tacking against the wind in sailing. People hate to change, so inoculate your audience by addressing their concerns.
End with a Call to Action and a description of the New Bliss. Consider: how often do I marvel at my faith in my sermons?
Giver your audience STAR Moments (Something They'll Always Remember).
Moving rapidly between What Is & What Could Be will be the most cited section of your talk. It gets people dissatisfied with the old norms and excited about the new bliss.
When our talks resonate, it's not about what's in me. It's about what's in my audience. I want to reach out and vibrate there. I want my Big Idea to connect with them and invite them to change.
Every innovation we have was once somebody’s Big Idea. The person who had the idea somehow made it tangible. We can learn to do that!
If you’re speaking, you should have a singular BIG IDEA. That big idea is comprised of your unique point of view and what’s at stake for your audience if they don’t adopt your idea. Put this big idea into a single sentence.
Next, define your audience’s journey. Where are they, and where will they be when you’re done? Story is the vehicle that will move your audience from where they are to where you want to take them.
Every story has beginning, a middle and an end. Our sermons should do. There ought to be a clear, obvious flow to our communication.
Remember that the audience is the hero of this journey. They have the control and power. If they decide to disregard your idea, then all your work is wasted. This should lead to humility and deference.
You are not the hero of your sermon or talk. Your audience is. You are their mentor. You are Master Yoda. They are Luke Skywalker!
