Whether you’re running a business, managing a nonprofit, or just trying to share your message with the world  a good story is the key to connecting with people. Stories bring ideas to life, giving them color and shape that facts and figures alone just can’t match. That’s why I was so excited to chat with Shaté Hayes

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She is a creative strategist with a fascinating background as a professional dancer and choreographer. Her career has been built on crafting stories—first on the stage and now as a tool for business leaders looking to inspire action. Our conversation was a wonderful reminder that, whether you’re working on a stage or in a boardroom, storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in your toolkit. 

Here are the key takeaways from our chat: 

Before you can craft a great story, you need to gather all the raw materials. Building a story is like assembling a puzzle—laying out data, testimonials, and even permissions to use specific anecdotes. The more pieces you collect, the easier it is to see the full picture and decide what’s most compelling. 

Not every story or element you collect will make the cut. Pick stories that reflect your business’s core mission and goals. Think of it like packing for a trip: you don’t need to bring everything, just the essentials that will get you where you want to go. 

Some of the most impactful stories aren’t about big numbers or dramatic events—they’re about small, relatable moments. Look for human moments that connect people, it is not about a bland testimonial of how they liked working with your, but a compelling explanation of how you helped them solve a problem and how that felt for both of you.  

From Instagram Reels to LinkedIn posts, stories shine when they’re shared in a way that fits the platform. Shaté reminded me that we don’t need to be everywhere—just where our audience is—and to play to each platform’s strengths, like video for TikTok or text posts for LinkedIn. 

Forget the myth that stories must be extraordinary to be meaningful. Even seemingly simple experiences—like how you overcame a challenge or found a creative solution—can resonate with your audience. It’s about being real and relatable.