How To Tell Stories Off The Cuff
- Paul Speirs
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 16
Good-day, good people!
Remember the “Get on with it!” scene in the classic film Monty Python And The Holy Grail? Carol Cleveland as Dingo breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to camera about how the Pythons were worried about the scene. She goes on about it so much that past and future characters from the film - and even God - shout: "Get on with it!".
To be fair, "Get on with it!" is a line many of us have muttered at a speaker who simply won’t land the point. Instead of educating, sharing insight, or creating a moment that sticks, the rambling speaker just fills space. The result? Their authority weakens and audience attention drifts.
Let's be clear: rambling isn’t a necessarily confidence issue; it’s a structure issue. To that point, we notice that rambling often appears in Q&As or panel discussions.
When put on the spot or stripped of their slide prompts, a speaker's thinking can become vague or overly technical. What starts as an answer can quickly unravel to become a ramble, as that person searches for the thread.
It’s no wonder that presenting off-the-cuff can feel risky and for some it’s risky enough to void all together.
And yet, developing off-the-cuff storytelling skills offers many advantages: greater agility under pressure, stronger connection with the room and building credibility.
The biggest incentive? Influence in unscripted moments.
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t being said” Peter Drucker, management consultant
Think about it like this: decisions are rarely made during a presentation. They’re shaped in follow‑up questions, hallway conversations and live discussions.
Strong off‑the‑cuff storytelling allows you to guide thinking when and where it matters most. Less "Get on with it!" and more... well, "Tell me more!"
If you have a work problem to fix and you want to hear how applied improvisation can support you, email us at hello@improvinc.co.uk. We’d love to meet you! First calls are free.
TRY IT OUT!: 🎯 Your weekly improv-infused activity for ongoing success One‑Word to One‑Minute Story
Purpose: Build confidence and structure in off‑the‑cuff storytelling without scripts or slides.
Outcome: Trains speakers to commit quickly to a direction and build instincts for a clear structure.
Set‑up: 2+ participants stand in a semi‑circle.
How it Works:
The facilitator gives a single word (e.g. risk, meeting, delay, trust).
One participant immediately steps forward.
They tell a 60‑second anecdote triggered by that word.
The story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
When time’s up, the facilitator stops them cleanly.
Reflections: How quickly did you get into story flow? How did you feel about hesitation?
Guidelines for Players:
The story does not need to be funny or profound.
Aim for rounded and succinct, not polished.
Choose a story that is true or near‑true—real experiences are easier to structure under pressure.
Avoid explaining, justifying, or adding lessons unless they naturally belong.
Can also be run in pairs - or even solo by drawing prompts from
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