*What’s the easiest way to make your story impossible to ignore?*

**Start with a question.**

Why? Because questions *demand* an answer. The moment you ask one, your audience’s brain starts searching for a response. It’s called the **instinctive elaboration effect**, and neuroscience shows that when we hear a question, our brain temporarily *hijacks* its focus to answer it.

*Here’s why it works:* A study from the Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition found that questions increase engagement and retention. They create an open loop in the brain–an unfinished thought that we *need* to resolve. That’s why cliffhangers work so well in movies and books.

**Here’s your challenge today:** Start your next story, presentation, or email with a compelling question.

For example:
Instead of: *”Let me tell you about our new strategy.”*
Try: *”What if everything you thought about success was wrong?”*

Instead of: *”I want to share a lesson I learned.”*
Try: *”Have you ever made a mistake so big you thought you’d never recover?”*

See the difference? The second versions *pull you in*. They make you *think*. And once your audience is thinking, they’re engaged.

*Remember*: A great story doesn’t just *tell*–it *invites*.

So, what question will you start with today?

#Storytelling #PowerOfQuestions #Engagement #Leadership #PresentationSkills #PublicSpeaking #Neuroscience #Communication #BusinessStorytelling #Inspiration