The Presentation Paradox: 

When Better Stories And Deeper Insights Fail

Inside today's issue, you'll discover...

• Why traditional presentation advice might be sabotaging your message (and the psychological reason behind it)

• A simple 3-part framework that makes your stories and examples infinitely more powerful 

• How a telecom executive transformed her C-suite updates from "information overload" to instant action and results

Hey reader, it's David,

Want to know the strangest thing we've discovered after working with hundreds of executives across disruptive start-ups through to Fortune 500 companies?

Those presentation techniques you're told will make you more engaging...

Are often the exact reason people tune out.

Yep, those "best practices" we're told to follow:

"Open with a dramatic hook"
"Illustrate your point with a powerful story"
"Use compelling analogies"

They can actually make it HARDER for people to understand your message.

Not because these techniques don't work...

But because people often use them at the wrong time.

You see, your brain can only handle 4-7 pieces of information at once.

So when you jump straight into an attention-grabbing story...

Your audience's mental bandwidth is already getting filled up...

Before they even know what's important or where you're going.

It's like trying to furnish a room before building the walls.

The furniture might be beautiful...But without structure, it's just cluttered chaos.

This is why we teach our mentees to use the "Tell, Tell, Tell" framework.

Think of it as a container that makes your stories and hooks actually work.

Here's how it transforms communication:

First Tell: Build the Container

Instead of diving into stories, give them a mental map:

"We have 3 key updates to cover today..."
"Let's look at revenue, then margins..."

This creates "mental buckets", so your audience knows what's coming.

For example, we recently worked with a senior sales manager at a satellite telecommunications company.

Her updates used to start with detailed stories about each sales opportunity...

But the C-suite would get lost, having no idea how many deals she was covering or what decisions they needed to make.

When she shifted to opening with:
"This month we have 12 opportunities - 7 new business and 5 expanding accounts..."

Suddenly, executives knew exactly what to expect.
Their brains could prepare the right "buckets."
Engagement instantly improved.

Second Tell: Fill the Container

NOW is when your stories and examples become powerful.

Because your audience has context, you can:

"First update is... [story/evidence] [pause]"
"Second update... [hook/example] [pause]"
"Third update... [analogy/data] [pause]"

Our telecom executive used this structure to systematically walk through each opportunity...

Adding compelling client stories and market insights...

But always tied to clear categories her audience already understood.

The result?
Questions became more strategic.
Decisions happened faster.
Deals started closing quicker.

Final Tell: Seal the Container

Don't just end. Reinforce with a strategic summary:

"Update 1 showed [quick point], Update 2 revealed [quick point], Update 3 means [quick point]"

This is where you drive home key actions.

Our telecom executive closed every update by reconnecting her stories to specific decisions needed:

E.g., "Based on these 12 opportunities, we need:

Fast-track approval on the Singapore deal
Additional technical resources in Europe
Updated pricing for enterprise accounts"

The transformation in C-suite response was immediate.

But here's what's really fascinating...

This framework doesn't just work for presentations.

We've seen it transform:

• Team meetings

• Strategic planning

• Client conversations

• Daily operations

• Even email communication

Because clear communication isn't about collecting more techniques...

It's about having the right structure to make those techniques actually work.

Want to walk into every meeting knowing your message will land exactly as intended? Never again watch eyes glaze over or see attention drift to phones under the table?

Hit reply, and let's set up a free coaching session.

We'll:

• Map your current communication patterns

• Identify hidden bottlenecks

• Share specific frameworks for your situation

No pressure to continue after the session.

Just practical strategies you can implement immediately.

Because here's the truth...

Your message's impact isn't about having better stories...

It's about having better structures to make those stories land.

Hit reply if you want to learn how.

David
Founder, Horizon Search

P.S. When you reach out, you'll work with our entire coaching team - each bringing unique expertise from different industries. Think of it as having a personal board of advisors dedicated to your success.