There is a superpower that can change your career.
It surely changed mine.
It took me from leading teams of 5 to managing an organization of over 300 people at Google.
That superpower is storytelling.
Think I’m exaggerating?
When I was promoted, storytelling was cited as a major reason. Managers and colleagues saw me as a leader because of the way I communicated. Because of how I conveyed my ideas and my vision.
Storytelling shapes how others perceive your leadership. It can be the difference between being a good PM vs. an unforgettable leader.
Still not convinced? Let me show you what I mean.
What Do I Mean By “Storytelling”?
Storytelling is about framing your message to be persuasive, engaging, and memorable.
You do this by:
- Choosing what to include (and what to leave out)
- Organizing information to maximize retention and impact
- Making real-time adjustments based on audience reactions
Don’t mistake storytelling for formatting – it’s about principles, not structure.
Stories can have many formats. Sometimes, they are told in the form of a data-heavy report. Other times, as a dramatic, emotion-filled narrative. Frequently, they are presentations that combine both data and narrative. There are countless other formats as well: emails, all-hands, team meetings, and even 1:1s.
No matter the format, the core storytelling principles remain the same. Your message must be persuasive, engaging, and memorable.
Why Most People Fail at Storytelling
It’s easy to misunderstand storytelling. So, most people fail at it without realizing why.
Usually, it comes down to one or more of the following reasons:
- They stare at a blank screen, not knowing where to begin
Most people lack a systematic way to create stories. Every time they have to create one, they start from scratch – which is so much harder. - They spend hours designing slides that no one reads
People confuse the slide deck with their story. But those are different. The deck is a visual aid to what you’re saying, not a replacement for it. - They present to a room full of distracted people
Most people assume the audience will pay attention. That’s not how it works. You need to learn to make people want to hear you. - They rush the presentation when time runs short
Most people fail to own the room and stay on track. Their presentations derail, hijacked by endless questions and debates. - They fail to drive meaningful change
Your audience won’t take action just because you told them to. You must learn to make your arguments convincing. - They struggle to make a lasting impression
Every time they tell an ineffective story, they build a reputation as a poor communicator. Over time, trust in their leadership goes down.
Fail to understand what true storytelling is about and you’ll be swimming against the tide.
Master storytelling – and it can change your career.
How Storytelling Will Change Your Career
Why is storytelling so critical in product management and leadership?
Isn’t the role of a PM to focus on the product? What does that have to do with communication? A lot, as it turns out.
Here are 3 reasons why storytelling will help you be seen as a skilled product leader:
1. It’s how you wield influence
It’s the PM’s job to align all stakeholders. They must translate messages between teams, users, partners, and executives. They’re the link between anyone contributing to the product.
But PMs don’t lead by authority. Instead, they need to convince people. How do you do this? Through persuasive storytelling.
Mastering this skill amplifies your ability to influence product decisions. It allows you to earn buy-in more effectively, and cement your role as a leader.
2. It’s how you scale
As you work to become a product leader, you need to manage people differently.
When you have a small team, you can meet with everyone one-on-one. But as you grow, that no longer works. You simply can’t lead 100 people the same way you lead 10.
Instead, you must hone the ability to motivate large groups of people to take action. You must own the room with the strength of your message.
3. It’s how you build high-performing teams
As you progress in your career, your role is less about performing and more about helping your teams excel.
You must listen to what your teams tell you and reflect it back to them in a structured way, bringing clarity to everyone involved. You need the ability to see the real story behind the story your teams may struggle to tell.
Mastering storytelling makes coaching your teams, effortless.
Final Thoughts
Storytelling is a superpower that accelerates your career.
The faster you commit to honing this skill, the quicker you’ll see the impact.
You might be thinking this is not the route for you because you are not a natural storyteller.
Good news: neither am I.
Luckily, unlike other superpowers, you don’t need to be born with it. You can learn it, master it, and watch it do wonders for you.
Want a shortcut?
I created a course to help you achieve results fast, efficiently, and in a practical way. “Persuasive Storytelling” lets you in on the secret. It contains all the knowledge I used to influence entire organizations at Google.
Whether through your own research or by taking my course – mastering storytelling will be a game-changer for your Product career.
