What are the ingredients of a compelling tech story? And why is it important to tell them? In this class, we discuss why storytelling is more memorable and persuasive than facts alone--and specific strategies you can use to increase your impact through storytelling.

1. Storytelling in Tech
Matt Vassar
December 30, 2022
COM 88: High-Impact Tech Talk
Stanford Continuing Studies Program

4. Semmelweiss had compelling data…

6. How we process facts:

7. Make your ideas
12.5x as sticky

8. …and 102x as
likely to persuade

11. C
A
R
ontext
ction
esult

12. Image credit:1930585 Soni [link]
Look to
the One

13. Consider Your
Audience

14. SIMPLIFY

15. We Must Partner
with Sparrows!

16. Structure
Body
Introduction
Conclusion
Thesis
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Preview
Review
Hook
Finale
Organic
Transitions

17. SIMPLIFY

18. What Skilled Negotiators Do Differently
Questions
Asked
Number of
Reasons
Common
Ground
Attack-Defend
Spirals
21.3%
9.6%
11%
38%
3
1.8
6.3%
1.9%

19. …and 102x as
likely to persuade

23. I quit my startup this year and
decided to travel the world! I made
it to Papua New Guinea and visited
the Asaro people there! Can you
believe it? I even had a group of
people following me around the
villages! It’s a good break from the
startup culture of Silicon Valley. I
mean, yes, it was good money and
I can’t believe I was honored with
the Inventor of the Year award! But
I’m glad I’m seeing the world. I
hope you’re doing well—let’s meet
up when I’m back in California.
Happy New Year!

25. Hey—how’s it going? I just threw
away an old pair of sneakers, and
they reminded me of the pair you
used to wear around in college!
Remember how you said you
weren’t going to buy new shoes
until you graduated? Did you make
it? (And how did you get so many
dates wearing those things?!) We’re
hoping to swing through town and
would love to see you! Do you still
sing? We should do karaoke! As for
me, I’m doing fine: working too hard
and earning too little, but still having
fun! Happy New Year! I miss you!

27. 225 WPM 500 WPM

29. Open body
position

30. Soft
Eye Contact

31. Connecting
Gestures

34. Open Body
Position

35. Soft Eye
Contact

36. Avoid
Distractions

37. What Makes a Great Team?
Matt Vassar
December 30, 2022
COM 88: High-Impact Tech Talk
Stanford Continuing Studies Program

39. years

40. teams

41. dimensions

42. predictive

43. What did NOT predict team performance?
Talent does NOT predict team performance

44. predictive

45. Psychological Safety
Dependability
Structure/Clarity
Meaning
Impact

46. HUGE PREDICTOR

47. Psychological Safety
Dependability
Structure/Clarity
Meaning
Impact