Choose a Word. Find the Moment. Tell the Story.

A takeaway story (like any good fast-food joint) is one your audience can receive and takeaway. It’s the kind of story they fold into their kete of knowledge, to pull out or reflect on when it matters

Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to build connection. For many of us, curling up with a parent for a bedtime story is one of our earliest and safest memories. That sense of warmth and shared understanding is exactly what stories create when we use them in leadership and communication.

Lately, I’ve been preparing for a client session focused on weaving stories into speeches, because when we tell stories, we don’t just share information; we make ideas memorable and ourselves relatable.

I thought you might like to know some of the top tips for using stories to support key messaging. Starting with Values-based Storytelling.

When Storytelling, Always Remember…

Retelling informs.

Reliving transforms.

In a world where the average attention span has dropped to just 8.25 seconds, the ability to captivate quickly and deeply matters more than ever.

But there’s a big difference between retelling a moment and reliving it.

When we retell, we recite facts.When we relive, we bring it to life.

We use our senses – sight, sound, smell, and feeling. We set the scene, shape the characters, and breathe energy into every moment. We speak more naturally, more openly, and more us.

Reliving the story doesn’t just engage the audience, it transforms the speaker.We shift from “I’m sharing a speech” to “I’m telling a story.” Our body language changes. We become more open, natural, and connected. We smile.

A Masterclass in Storytelling - Steve Jobs

If you’d like to see storytelling in its simplest and most effective form, watch Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address.

He begins with the line:

“Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories.”

Each story carries a single message - connecting the dots, love and loss, and death, and together they leave a lasting emotional impact.

It’s the perfect example of how structure, simplicity, and authenticity make storytelling unforgettable.👉 Watch it here.

Values-Based Storytelling

I believe one of the easiest ways to create a strong takeaway within a speech is by using values-based storytelling.

To do this, choose a single value, word, or idea you want your team to remember.This could be something you want to carry through the year ahead, or a value your business is working to embody.

Then, think back to your lived experiences.Was there a moment that captured that idea or value?Start writing down what you remember, even the little details.

Once you have some notes, share your story aloud.When you finish, ask yourself if the takeaway was clear.

Use this simple structure:

Beginning: Set the scene.

Middle: Present the challenge or turning point.

End: Share the resolution and lesson.

My Takeaway Story: Adaptability

And because I believe we should always model what we teach… here’s mine.

My values word for this piece is Adaptability.

My Overall Takeaway (if the audience leave with nothing else I want them to remember)“Changing plans doesn’t mean our plans have to change”

Interestingly, since recording this video early in 2025, the word adaptability has continued to appear throughout my year. I’ve recently had major surgery, which required plenty of adapting — physically, mentally, and logistically. I also listened to a Dom Harvey podcast episode where Heather McRae, Principal of Auckland Diocesan School for Girls, was asked:

“If you had to describe teenage girls in one word today, what would it be?”Her answer? Adaptable.

And now, as we reach one year since moving our young family from Auckland back to our hometown of Rotorua, I can see that adaptability has been the quiet constant in our story. What we imagined as a one-child family looks completely different as a two-child family — and all of us have had to adapt to make this move a success.

The takeaway from that original story still rings true. However, if I were sharing this with an audience today, I might reference other moments of adaptability instead. Storytelling is always evolving, and our everyday experiences keep adding new layers. The more we share those lived connections, the more relatable — and memorable — our stories become.

Next steps

Find a takeaway story or a few stories to keep in your back pocket.They’re useful for starting a social speech, adding a hook to an introduction, or sparking discussion about values and goals for the year ahead.Keep adding to the story over time - if you find something that resonates make a small note of it.

Because the best stories aren’t just told.

They’re felt. And when they’re felt, they are memorable.

If you would like help working through some options, let’s chat!