Hollywood has known for more than a century what many business presenters still haven't learned: without conflict, there is no story — just a sequence of events. In this QuickBites episode, Peter George identifies the single most important element missing from most business stories and makes the case that adding it will immediately change how engaged your listeners are and how well they remember what you said.
Peter breaks down the two kinds of conflict — internal and external — and shows how each applies directly to business presentations, from pitching to investors to making the case in a sales call. He also highlights four simple words that signal conflict and drive a narrative forward: but, however, then, and so. Short, practical, and immediately usable, this episode will change the way you look at every story you tell from here on out.
Welcome to Public Speaking with Peter George. Do you want to be calm, confident, and credible every time you speak in public? Then stay tuned as we discuss public speaking tips, techniques, and tactics that help you increase your impact, influence, and income.
The One Element Most Stories Are Missing
Do you want your stories to be more captivating? Do you want your listeners to be engrossed, waiting and wondering how your story is going to end? If so, you need to include one vital element — conflict.
Conflict isn't the only element necessary in a compelling story, but it is the one that most people leave out. And leaving it out is a serious problem. Conflict creates interest. It interrupts an otherwise smooth progression — and that's a good thing. Without conflict, your stories are boring.
Without conflict, your stories are boring. Conflict creates interest — it interrupts an otherwise smooth progression, and that's a good thing.
For more than 100 years, Hollywood has drawn audiences in with the tried-and-true love story: boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl. Would moviegoers be satisfied with 115 minutes of boy meets girl, boy gets girl? Usually not. There has to be some tension to heighten the interest. Conflict is that tension.
Internal vs. External Conflict
There are two kinds of conflict: internal and external. In the boy-meets-girl story, the internal conflict might be that the girl just ended a long-term relationship and is cautious about quickly getting into another one — even though she's clearly attracted to the boy. The external conflict might be that she's been offered a promotion that requires moving across the country, which will end their fledgling relationship.
Most stories that resonate use at least one of these. The best use both.
Conflict in Business Stories
Business storytelling works exactly the same way. Here's an example: a salesperson made a large sale, but was about to lose it because his company couldn't deliver the raw materials on time. Even though it meant his commission would take a hit, he offered the buyer a discount to wait for delivery — and they agreed. There's the problem, the obstacle, the solution, and the outcome. That's a story.
Another example would be telling the story of why you created a product — useful in an interview or investor pitch. The bones of it: I needed to solve a problem, but with no accessible or reasonably priced options available, I decided to develop my own solution. However, I lost confidence after failing several times. Then, with encouragement from the people around me, I created something that will change the industry. Notice the words that do the work in that story: but, however, then, and so. Those words are the signposts of conflict and resolution. Use them deliberately.
If you're not already building conflict into your stories, start now. You'll feel the difference immediately — and so will your audience.
Thank you for listening to this episode of Public Speaking with Peter George. Are you ready to be calm, confident, and credible every time you speak in public? Then visit petergeorgepublicspeaking.com and let's make it happen. I'll see you next time.
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