A Simple Framework for Influencing Through Storytelling
- Scott Bower
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
At Current Forward, we’ve spent years presenting insights inside organizations — from boardrooms to product teams to PR, brand, and marketing leaders. And we’ve seen one thing consistently: evidence alone doesn’t influence.
Teams move when data becomes a story — and that story becomes a clear path forward.
Over time, we built a simple, repeatable framework that helps leaders use research to drive alignment, belief, and action.
Here’s the quick version:
The 4-Step Influence Framework
1. Identify: Spot the right opportunity
Before digging into the data, zoom out:
What’s changing in culture?
What’s shifting for your audiences?
Where could your company win?
Start with a hypothesis that gives your work a clear direction.
2. Strategize: Turn evidence into a point of view
Every research project has “known unknowns.” Fill the gaps, gather early signals, and pressure-test your hypothesis by asking:
What’s actually true?
What’s critical vs. just interesting?
What should we do about it — and why?
This is where your POV becomes a strategic lever.
3. Influence: Build belief through story
To shift thinking, you need a narrative that connects the dots:
Character: Make it relatable.
Conflict: Define the tension or problem.
Resolution: Show the path forward.
Meaning: Make it stick.
And always position your audience as the hero — the one who can solve the conflict.
4. Activate: Make the next move unmistakably clear
Once people believe the story, help them act:
Define the decision.
Set the scope.
Present options as a narrative.
Assign ownership and next steps.
To drive a decisive “yes,” highlight: the payoff, the logic, the timing, and the cost of doing nothing.
Why it works
This framework helps teams make smarter decisions faster — and ensures your insights actually shape your organization’s strategy.
If you want help applying this inside your organization, reach out to us at hello@currentfwd.com or follow the link below.
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