Last week, Anneliese and Alex kicked off our series by explaining why our brains are biologically wired for stories. It’s a concept that resonates strongly with me.
As a Chief Product Officer, my core focus is communicating the value of our solutions. Our platform is full of powerful features, but those features are just data points. They are meaningless unless we can communicate the benefits in a compelling way – how a specific tool will save our clients time, reduce their risk, or help them tell their own story more effectively.
This is the same challenge our clients in asset management face every day.
I’m delighted that Alex is now tackling the practical “how-to.” First, he’ll share his “magpie” method for finding story inspiration (even in the most data-heavy topics), and then he’ll give practical advice on building the confidence to deliver those stories.
About the author
Alex is a macroeconomist and Research Fellow at the Centre for Sustainable Finance at SOAS, University of London, where his work focuses on sovereign debt and climate finance. He is also the founder of Financial Fables, a weekly newsletter on markets and economic developments, and previously spent over a decade as a Global Investment Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Gathering shiny stories like a magpie
By Alexander Dryden
Magpies are renowned for “borrowing” shiny items and flying them back to their nest for future keeping. I encourage new storytellers to take the same approach by keeping an eye (or an ear) open for new narratives you can ‘borrow,’ and bring them into your own storytelling nest before adding your personal mark.
Start with what you know
One place to find those shiny story fragments is in your own interests and hobbies. Bringing a part of yourself into a corporate setting can give your stories a fresh edge. I love the Financial Times article by Daniel Davies, who manages to use his passion for Warhammer figurines to breathe life into the relatively dry topic of risk management. He sparks the reader’s imagination without going so deep into tabletop wargames that it becomes inaccessible. The result is a piece that is memorable, unique, and engaging.
Use shared experiences
If you’d rather play it safe, then think about stories built around experiences everyone shares. Everyday topics such as the weather, travel delays, or family routines are easy, accessible starting points. I often use imagery of storms and hurricanes to highlight impending issues, or terms like “smooth sailing” and “choppy waters” to show periods of calm or turbulence.
As we’ve touched on in previous weeks, storytelling doesn’t need to be a grand narrative. Even small shiny elements, sprinkled into a presentation slide or slipped into a meeting, can spark engagement and help your audience remember you and your key points.
Don’t feed the trolls: confidence for storytellers
Effective storytelling, like any sport or activity, is as much about confidence as it is about skill. Even experienced presenters can find themselves losing confidence in their ideas. For me, I tend to be my own biggest critic, with my mind whispering doubts such as “This story isn’t good enough” or “People won’t get it.” This self-trolling, if left unchecked, can undermine a promising idea and push you back toward a drab but safe presentation.
Practice makes confident
Overcoming these inner trolls requires practice and rehearsal. Sometimes this can be as simple as running through a presentation out loud – stories often gain strength the more they’re spoken, helping build your confidence. For bigger events, you can go one step further by recording yourself on camera and reviewing your delivery and mannerisms with a critical eye. The first time your story is spoken out loud should never be in the meeting itself.
Find a trusted critic
If those approaches feel uncomfortable, another powerful way to strengthen your storytelling is to enlist a supportive but honest friend or colleague. For me, my wife is the friendly face I need – someone who helps me test whether a story works and provides the candid feedback I can trust before I share it in a large meeting or a corporate setting.
At the end of the day, your ideas are stronger than the trolls in your head. Keep practising, keep sharing, and above all – don’t feed the trolls.
The Kurtosys takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I find story ideas for financial presentations?
A: A great way to start is with the “magpie” method. Look for inspiration in your own hobbies (like the Warhammer example) or in shared human experiences. Using simple, universal metaphors like “choppy waters” or “smooth sailing” can make complex market data instantly relatable.
Q: How can I make my financial data more engaging?
A: You don’t need a grand narrative. Start by sprinkling “shiny elements” into your slides or meetings. This can be as simple as a witty anecdote to open, a pithy title for a dry chart, or a simple metaphor that links a few data points together.
Q: How can I become a more confident presenter?
A: Confidence comes from practice. Rehearse your presentation out loud, even recording yourself to check your delivery. It’s also incredibly helpful to find a trusted friend or colleague who can give you honest feedback before you present in a corporate setting.
