Structuring Problem-Solution-Transformation Story You Can Tell Any Time, Any Where

Leadership communication| Pitching| Effective Communication| Presentation Skills

July 24, 2025•2 min read

You’re asked to speak spontaneously about:

A project you’re leading.
A challenge you’ve overcome.
Or why you do what you do.

You obviously know something about all these topics, but when you are asked to speak about them off the cuff, your mind goes blank.

Not because you don’t have something to say…

But because you’re taken off guard and adrenaline kicks in, clouding your mind and blocking you from saying something clear, compelling, and leadership-worthy.

Here’s the good news:

You can prepare yourself for these impromptu moments by crafting a powerful story ahead of time and learning it.

You just need a simple structure that helps you craft that story so you are able to deliver it with clarity, purpose, and presence.

🔍 A 3-Part Story Formula that Works:

1. Start with the PROBLEM

What wasn’t working?
What challenge were you and your team facing?
Describing the friction hooks your listener and shows them why the story matters.

2. Introduce the SOLUTION?

What solution did you land on?’
What actions did you consider but discard?
This is your opportunity to show your leadership in motion—not just what you did, but how you approached it.

3. Share the TRANSFORMATION

What was the outcome?
How was the situation transformed?
What did you learn or take away from the experience that shapes the way you lead today?

📌 Pro tip: Don’t stress if the story doesn’t have a “perfect” ending. People can learn from messy stories too.

✨ Why This Structure Works

This approach allows you to:

Put your audience in the situation with you, painting a vivid picture of the problem you were facing.
Show your thinking and decision-making
Leave your audience with insight (not just information)

Once you’ve crafted your story, don’t memorize it - learn it. Internalize it so you can deliver it any time, while staying connected with your audience and sounding authentic.

The best leadership stories don’t just showcase your wins.

They illuminate how you think, how you act, and how you grow.

🗣 Want to practice structuring your story using this formula and delivering it with clarity and confidence? Let’s talk. Book a discovery call and let’s bring your message to life.

Barbara Boldt

Barbara is a transformative communication coach who empowers introverted leaders and professionals to become authentic, impactful speakers. Through her unique approach she combines anxiety-reduction techniques, like Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) with strategic communication skills training to help her clients move from feeling unseen to confidently representing themselves and their organizations. In a safe, supportive environment, clients gradually build confidence while mastering the essentials of clear, persuasive communication. Drawing from 20+ years of experience working internationally with professionals from over 35 countries, Barbara has an extraordinary ability to identify why a message is not connecting. Whether it’s due to unclear language, structural issues, or delivery flaws, she helps her clients reshape how they communicate so their messages resonate. Barbara’s expert coaching allows introverted leaders to build their confidence and channel their natural strengths into clear, authentic expression, which elevates their leadership presence and allows them to achieve their business objectives.

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