Tell the Story Right: Why More Information Doesn’t Always Mean More Progress

Have you noticed how every headline feels like a pitch, every post a performance, every conversation a campaign?

We are inundated with information and honestly, even that feels like an understatement. We're not just absorbing data; we're being battered by facts and figures contorted to con, compel, and confuse. And yet, on the other end we also have access to more knowledge than ever and opportunities our parents and grandparents could only dream of.

So what’s it all worth?  
What purpose does it serve?  
How does it help?

If you’re old enough, you may remember when research meant a field trip to the library, sometimes needing special permission just to enter a reading room. Keeping up with your studies meant dragging a bookbag half your size through snow, sun, and sore backs. Today, we tap sleek laptops that get lighter every few years, offering the world at our fingertips. We’ve upgraded our tools. But have we upgraded our thinking?

Have we gotten smarter?  
More thoughtful?  
More innovative?

It depends who you ask. Looking around at our schools, our social feeds, and even some strategy sessions, it’s clear: More doesn't always mean better. Not if “the new” is filtered through the same systems that neglect and isolate at best or exploit and erase at worst. I reflected on this in a previous piece, Greed for Good, where I explored how we distribute access to innovation.

Today, I’m thinking about something related but deeper: not just what we access, but how we share it and why. That brings me to the language of the moment: the “Impact Story.” You’ve heard it. Maybe you’ve written one. It's the story that explains how something or someone made a difference; how a problem was solved, a life improved, a mission fulfilled. But lately I’ve been wondering: Why do we feel the need to qualify a story as “impactful”?

Shouldn’t stories be impactful by design? Storytelling is, and always has been, one of the most powerful tools we have. It shapes perception. Drives action. Solves problems. It connects people to people, missions to movements, and products to purpose. But as its power becomes more recognized, it’s also being used and misused in disturbing ways. Yes, stories entertain. Yes, they help us explore and escape. But they’re increasingly being used to manipulate. To sell, not serve or to serve and not solve, and in some cases, to sell costly, questionable solutions to problems that don’t even exist. 

For example:

“Here’s what I want you to do, buy, or believe. Insert story. Now do it whether or not I’ve helped you, solved your problem, or enriched your life.”

And even worse:  

“Let me first convince you that you have a problem. Now let me sell you the fix.”

That’s the hijacking of storytelling. And it’s something that leaders across sectors in business, education, and nonprofit work alike must thoughtfully confront.

Businesses: From my experience working in the global private sector, I’ve learned that a brand’s story is more than just a tagline or origin story. It’s a powerful tool to build trust, communicate real value, and highlight the impact behind the work. In today’s market, people aren’t only choosing products. They’re aligning with principles. Let your story reflect what truly matters to both your customers and your company.

Educators: Through my experience in human resources in a school district and as a classroom teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how storytelling brings learning to life. It’s not just a supplement to instruction. It’s a powerful way to create meaning and deepen understanding. When students see their lived experiences reflected in what they’re learning, engagement grows, and critical thinking thrives.

Nonprofits: Working within and on behalf of nonprofits across sectors in tech, design, advocacy, education, and energy, I’ve had to constantly adapt, reevaluate, and interrogate both internal practices and external narratives. That journey has shown me that stories are more than content. They’re lived experiences. Sharing them with dignity, clarity, and consent isn’t optional; it’s essential. Let the narrative hold both the struggle and the strength of those you serve.

So, what now?

Let’s protect storytelling from being distorted or drained of its power. Let’s tell the story right: with intention, integrity, and impact that doesn’t need a label.

A story told right brings clarity, direction, joy, truth, inspiration, and action. It’s a force for solutions and self-reflection. It doesn’t just sell; it serves and solves. It doesn’t just entertain; it enlightens.

If done with care, it can be the thing that allows us all to be seen, heard, and better equipped to avoid repeating the past.
When we tell the story right, we don’t just grow louder, we grow better.  
And in that world, “more” finally becomes “more” in all the best ways.