Why do some conversations click and others don’t? A secret to maintaining an interesting conversation lies in your story.

When we network, we feel the pressure to land an interview or a job — and there’s nothing wrong with that — that’s the point of a good network. But sometimes, conversations get too repetitive.

So a compelling narrative constructed from your personal experiences can be a game-changer.

In a recent podcast, Stephen uses a thrilling experience from his time in the army to hook people into giving him permission to talk and share his story.

How can you do this?

Think of a captivating moment from your life. It’s not about just sharing a story; it’s about hooking someone’s interest from the start.

Imagine beginning with, “I went skydiving last year and it changed not just my life, but how I lead my team”. In many conversations, that statement alone will spark curiosity to know more.

Here are some tips for keeping your audience engaged:

1. Be Suspenseful: Start with an intriguing challenge or scenario from your life. Hook them by starting at the climax of your story.

2. Be Authentic: A made-up story easily falls apart. Find real moments to share and trust that authenticity will resonate.

3. Be Relatable: To foster relevance and empathy, connect challenges from your stories to human experience others can relate to.

4. Be Insightful: We don’t just speak to entertain, we speak to communicate a message. Wrap it up with a clear takeaway or a lesson you learned.

It’s one thing to start conversations and make connections, but it’s another to make them memorable. So the next time you find yourself at a networking event, don’t hesitate to gather your courage and tell your story.

It might just be the key to gain solid friendships and connections.