The Truth in Ten

How Do You Stand Out When You're Small & Quiet?
 
Greta Thunberg started a global movement and her words have inspired millions of young folks to speak truth to power and act, but she's a reluctant influencer who doesn't want the spotlight. As I work through Penguin's Green Ideas Series as part of a 20 books in 20 days challenge, I'm starting with book 1 - a short book containing excerpts of Greta's speeches.
 
In this short episode I share a couple of thoughts on this book and what makes Greta so remarkable - not just what she says, but when ashe says it. The timelines of her rise to significance are astonishing. Listen to this short episode and you'll see why.
 
EPISODE LINKS
Greta @ TEDxStockholm
Greta x The 1975
I Am Greta [Documentary]
Greta's first Instagram post
Speeches of Greta
Penguin Books - Green Ideas Series
Follow my #20GreenIdeas challenge on Linkedin
 


EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
When Greta Thunberg gave her first TEDx talk in Stockholm, she didn't command the stage with sweeping gestures. She didn't vary her tone with any theatrical flair. She was nervous and anxious. She stood still. Her voice was quiet. Her delivery was flat, almost monotone. And by every traditional public speaking rulebook, she broke all the "shoulds."
But what she said—moved the world.
Greta doesn't show up to entertain.
She shows up to tell the truth.
Her speech wasn't polished. It was pure.
It wasn't performative. It was purposeful.
She didn't try to be engaging. She tried to be heard.
And she was. By millions.
Greta's story reminds us that powerful communication doesn't require charisma, confidence, or perfect posture. It requires courage.
You don't need to be loud to be listened to.
You don't need to be smooth to be sincere.
You just need to mean it.
So if you've ever felt too awkward, too anxious, too introverted—or simply too different—to speak up, remember Greta. Her voice have never followed the rules. It rewrote them.
[RULES]
I've just started a 20 day challenge to read 20 books in 20 days from Penguin's Green Ideas series. As I was reading the first book of the Greta's book, I was just left with an overwhelming belief that your voice matters. Your story can change everything.
Even if it shakes. Even if it stumbles. Even if it's quiet.
Especially then.
Everything you need to know is in the title.
"No one is too small to make a difference."
Greta's book in the series contains excerpts of her speeches. But as someone who studies speeches for a living, some of Greta's speeches are not easy to read – or to listen to.
I'd like to play you one now. Bear with me. 
This is the opening 2 minutes of her first ever public speech TEDxStockholm – an 11-minute speech given on 24th November 2018 - just 96 days after she started her "Friday's for Future" solo school strike outside the Swedish Parliament on 20th August 2018.
[GRETA TEDxSTOCKHOLM]
She gave that talk less than 100 days after first deciding to take a stand.
A shy, autistic girl, who just decided that despite her age, background or experience – was was going to take a stand do something that she believed in.
Not only that – she didn't even have any influence. It's not like she had famous influencer friends, a celebrity mum or dad, media following her or any money to promote her cause – she just sat down on her own, with a sign, her school bag, a bottle of water and some sandwiches – determined to do that every Friday until the Swedish government agreed to fall in line with the Paris Agreement (a landmark treaty created in 2016 and signed by countries who would agree to work together to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees C.). By 2018 it was clear to Greta that Sweden wasn't doing what it promised, so she decided to take a stand

In fact, if you go on Greta's Instagram and scroll back to 20th August 2018, you'll notice that not only was it written in Swedish, but it wasn't formatted well and didn't contain any hashtags. Greta had no idea what she was doing on social media. She just wanted to do something.
She wants the spotlight but she doesn't want fame.
In her speeches she's said many time, "Don't listen to me – listen to the science."
She shines her light on the science and not herself.
And I think that's what makes her special.
Because just 110 days after Greta stood on that red circle to give her talk, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Think about that. 
Think about how much we want conditions to be perfect before we decided to do something. 
Greta went from an anonymous school striker to a keynote speaker in 96 days.
And then she went from an awkward keynote speaker to Nobel prize nominee in 110 days.
How does that make you feel about what is possible in 100 days?
She became the catalyst of a whole movement which inspired millions of young people around the world to do something.
She was the right person, with the right message, at EXACTLY the right time.
Bill Gates once said, "Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years."
In her wildest dreams I don't think Greta could have imagined the impact that her quiet voice would have, but as I read the speeches in this little book, I am blown away by the idea that "No one is too small to make a difference" is not just the title of a book – it's a philosophy for activists, and purpose-driven leaders everywhere that no matter how little influence or experience you think you have – your words can create ripples in a pond which you can't even imagine how many people they could affect.
And I think that's the thing.
Agree with her or vilify her..
She's not a confident speaker, but she's a brilliant writer.
The titles of her speeches say more than many other people's entire speeches:
·   Wherever I Go I Seem To Be Surrounded By Fairy Tales.
Cathedral Thinking
I'm Too Young To Do This
You Can't Simply Make Up Your Own Facts
You're Acting Like Spoiled Irresponsible Children
We Will Not Allow You To Surrender On Our Future
The People Are The Hope
Hope
So let me leave you with a gorgeous montage of some of Greta's words, put together by one of my favourite bands The 1975.
Until next time…
Tell Stories That Matter.
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The Truth in Ten is a cross between a podcast series and a storytelling masterclass. Each short episode shines a light on a different inspirational leader; someone who shared a short story which changed the world in some way. This is a show for anyone who wants to make a difference by sharing their story.
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109 Rules of Storytelling
Rule #6
"Great stories create drama by using words like "but", "except", "therefore", "and then".
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Learn
Take Aaron Sorkin's Masterclass

109 Rules of Storytelling
Rule #5
"Great stories are about INTENTION and OBSTACLE. That's it. Somebody wants something really badly and something formidable is standing in their way; an obstacle so big, it looks like they've got no chance of overcoming it on their own."
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Read
The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler [Wikipedia]
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Watch
Christopher Vogler talking about the Hero's Journey [YouTube]

109 Rules of Storytelling
Rule #4
"Great storytellers are obsessed with Aristotle's "Poetics".  This little pamphlet explains the underlying foundations of all great stories. And just because it was written thousands of years ago in 335BC, don't think it isn't relevant today…   If you want to influence and move an audience, it is."
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"Storytellers must be evangelistic about Aristotle's Poetics." Aaron Sorkin
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Read POETICS [MIT Archive link]
Overview of Poetics [Wikipedia]
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Poetics in a Nutshell:
It's the hero journey from A to B.
The hero has to be transformed.
(For better and worse).
It has to happen in the least possible number of steps.
It has to happen in one place.
(Over 48 hours).
And at the end we have to experience shock & awe, fear & pity.
The hero has to experience recognition & reversal of their situation.
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Why Poetics Matters
Your job is to tell a story
The story has a hero
And he or she wants ONE thing
The story begins when something happens
The story ends when the hero is transformed for better or worse
Everything in the story must be a progression
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POETICS WORKSHEET [PDF]
Courtesy of Aaron's Sorkin's Masterclass
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[TRANSCRIPT]
Aristotle's Poetics – for Business Storytelling
 
Aaron Sorkin told me "you must be evangelical about Aristotle's poetics". You know he's my favourite Oscar-winning winning screenwriter and playwright. He strongly believes "Rules are what make art beautiful."
 
What is poetics & why should you care?
Aristotle's Poetics (c. 335 BC = 2,360 years ago) is the earliest guide to how stories work.
He argued every great story needs a beginning, middle, and end—clarity beats complexity.
Strong stories create emotional connection (pity, fear, hope) to move audiences to act.
The most powerful tales show cause and effect—decisions drive outcomes.
Characters must be credible and consistent—audiences trust authenticity.
Plot beats style: structure matters more than flashy words.
For leaders, this means: sharpen your message, create tension, show resolution, and make your audience feel the story—not just hear it.
 
Why does Aristotle's Poetics still matter today?
Human brains haven't changed. We're still wired for story, not slides. Poetics explains why stories stick.
TED Talks succeed because they follow Aristotle's rules: clear arc, relatable characters, emotional tension, and a satisfying resolution.
Keynotes and pitches work best when they build suspense, show cause and effect, and end with clarity.
Client case studies become compelling when they highlight real characters, challenges, turning points, and results.
 
In short: Aristotle cracked the timeless code of influence—structure + emotion = impact. Business leaders ignore it at their peril.
 
Here's a simple, memorable framework you can use to make Aristotle's Poetics stick with business leaders:
 
The 4 P's of Powerful Storytelling
Plot – Every story needs a clear beginning, middle, and end. Keep it simple and structured.
People – Characters must be credible, consistent, and relatable. audiences believe people before they believe numbers.
Purpose – Stories need tension, cause and effect, and a reason for the audience to care.
Passion – The goal isn't just logic—it's emotion. Make people feel something so they act.
 
This gives you a quick handle we(4 P's) you can recall and apply.
 
Become a diagnostician. Watch TV shows, plays, and movies with the screenplay in your lap. When something doesn't work,
figure out why it doesn't work. Did it break one of Aristotle's rules?
Don't confuse the rules of drama with the rules invented by
people about what stories or characters are culturally appropriate or popular enough to appear on TV. Society and cultural norms shift.
The rules of drama are the only principles you need to concern yourself with.

109 Rules of Storytelling: Rule #3
 
"When you tell transformational stories, hormones like dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins flood the brain.

These hormones trigger the emotions which help to connect with your audience. They build trust & empathy.  When you don't tell transformational stories, you don't get that connection."
 
💙 Buy the 109 Rules of Storytelling at BetterStories.org 💙
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Recommended watching:
David JP Phillips TED Talks
The magical science of storytelling
How to avoid death by PowerPoint
The 110 techniques of communication and public speaking