--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I observed that the greatest speakers…" description: "\"“I observed that the greatest speakers didn’t just tell better stories. They actually made the stories better by living them first.”\" — John C. Maxwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-c-maxwell-113_tell-better_i-observed-that-the-greatest-speakers-di_3117844.jpg" --- # I observed that the greatest speakers didn’t just tell… ![“I observed that the greatest speakers didn’t just tell better stories. They actually made the stories better by living them first.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-c-maxwell-113_tell-better_i-observed-that-the-greatest-speakers-di_3117844.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-c-maxwell-113_tell-better_i-observed-that-the-greatest-speakers-di_3117844.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/348/john-c-maxwell-113_tell-better_i-observed-that-the-greatest-speakers-di_3117844.jpg) > ““I observed that the greatest speakers didn’t just tell better stories. They actually made the stories better by living them first.”” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great speakers improve stories by first embodying them, making the narrative more compelling and authentic. **In simple terms:** Live the story to tell it better. Key Takeaway Lead by example in storytelling. Themes leadership communication authenticity Mood inspirational motivational Type leadership communication When to use this quote - public speaking - team meetings - training workshops Key Concepts embodiment storytelling mastery influence Questions to Reflect On - What personal experiences can you draw to enrich your talks? - When is it better to use research over personal experience? A Different Perspective Not everyone can fully embody every story they tell. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-stories-1373818/) [Greatest Speakers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-speakers-5463204/) [Speakers Didn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speakers-didn-5463203/) [Stories Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories-better-802829/) [Tell Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell-better-360414/) ## Related quotes > [“A dead body is much more fascinating than a live one, and I have learned that most corpses tell better stories.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bradley/a-dead-body-is-much-more-fascinating-than-a-live-one-and-i-have/) [Alan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bradley/) > [I hope before I am getting too old and when my mind is still functioning, I can tell some better stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhang-yimou/i-hope-before-i-am-getting-too-old-and-when-my-mind-is-still/) [Zhang Yimou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhang-yimou/) > [The story is everything, which means it's our job to tell better stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/the-story-is-everything-which-means-it-s-our-job-to-tell-better/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [I used to go over to my friend's house and we'd watch VCR tapes, three of them a day, and I was like, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rodriguez/i-used-to-go-over-to-my-friend-s-house-and-we-d-watch-vcr-tapes-three/) [Michelle Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rodriguez/) > [We should ensure to teach the next generation something good. We have such rich literature and history. Why can't we make better stories?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alok-nath/we-should-ensure-to-teach-the-next-generation-something-good-we-have/) [Alok Nath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alok-nath/) > [I want to do better. I want to produce better stories. I want to do better plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/i-want-to-do-better-i-want-to-produce-better-stories-i-want-to-do/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [Scars are tattoos with better stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-stoker/scars-are-tattoos-with-better-stories/) [Susan Stoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-stoker/) > [Imagination makes us shape better stories, sure, but it also allows us to multiply possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amitava-kumar/imagination-makes-us-shape-better-stories-sure-but-it-also-allows-us/) [Amitava Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amitava-kumar/) > [“Don’t you think scars make better stories than tattoos?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-johnson/don-t-you-think-scars-make-better-stories-than-tattoos/) [Craig Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-johnson/) > [I tell myself he's better than he makes himself out to be, but, Tessa, what if he isn't?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-tell-myself-he-s-better-than-he-makes-himself-out-to-be-but-tessa/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“You're better than you think," I whispered. "I didn't realize it when I was little, didn't understand that look in your eyes, why you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/you-re-better-than-you-think-i-whispered-i-didn-t-realize-it-when-i/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [If I haven't played with a player before and I don't know anything about them, the more they tell me about themselves, the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/if-i-haven-t-played-with-a-player-before-and-i-don-t-know-anything/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Everyone has a story to tell. Some of us tell them so much we get better at it. Eventually we get really good...and published.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-has-a-story-to-tell-some-of-us-tell-them-so-much-we-get/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My dad will always tell me what I could have done better, even when I've played well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bukayo-saka/my-dad-will-always-tell-me-what-i-could-have-done-better-even-when-i/) [Bukayo Saka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bukayo-saka/) > [Her lips on his could tell him better than all her stumbling words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/her-lips-on-his-could-tell-him-better-than-all-her-stumbling-words/) [Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Tell Better quotes > [Her lips on his could tell him better than all her stumbling words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/her-lips-on-his-could-tell-him-better-than-all-her-stumbling-words/) [Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/) > [My dad will always tell me what I could have done better, even when I've played well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bukayo-saka/my-dad-will-always-tell-me-what-i-could-have-done-better-even-when-i/) [Bukayo Saka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bukayo-saka/) > [Everyone has a story to tell. Some of us tell them so much we get better at it. Eventually we get really good...and published.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-has-a-story-to-tell-some-of-us-tell-them-so-much-we-get/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If I haven't played with a player before and I don't know anything about them, the more they tell me about themselves, the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/if-i-haven-t-played-with-a-player-before-and-i-don-t-know-anything/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [“You're better than you think," I whispered. "I didn't realize it when I was little, didn't understand that look in your eyes, why you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/you-re-better-than-you-think-i-whispered-i-didn-t-realize-it-when-i/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [I tell myself he's better than he makes himself out to be, but, Tessa, what if he isn't?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-tell-myself-he-s-better-than-he-makes-himself-out-to-be-but-tessa/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The worst thing you could do right now is tell me that I can find someone better then you ...when you're all I want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-worst-thing-you-could-do-right-now-is-tell-me-that-i-can-find/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We need to tell better stories of men and women who master a trade. We have to stop telling kids to blindly follow their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rowe/we-need-to-tell-better-stories-of-men-and-women-who-master-a-trade-we/) [Mike Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rowe/) > [“Don’t just live to narrate the stories of your cowardice. Someone will tell a better story of how you died rather than you telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayaz-ahmed-kohli/don-t-just-live-to-narrate-the-stories-of-your-cowardice-someone-will/) [Ayaz Ahmed Kohli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayaz-ahmed-kohli/) > [Sometimes the worst thing he could do is tell you that you can find someone better than him...when at that moment all you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/sometimes-the-worst-thing-he-could-do-is-tell-you-that-you-can-find/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [“You must never tell people their own stories. They have no interest in them, or they think they can tell them better themselves. Give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-lord/you-must-never-tell-people-their-own-stories-they-have-no-interest-in/) [Karen Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-lord/) > [My job is to show and tell. If I get better at showing and telling then presumably I get hired more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hardy/my-job-is-to-show-and-tell-if-i-get-better-at-showing-and-telling/) [Tom Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hardy/) > [“I remember what people tell me better than what I said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douard-lev/i-remember-what-people-tell-me-better-than-what-i-said/) [Édouard Levé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douard-lev/) > [Whenever things go a bit sour in a job I'm doing, I always tell myself, 'You can do better than this.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/whenever-things-go-a-bit-sour-in-a-job-i-m-doing-i-always-tell-myself/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [The story is everything, which means it's our job to tell better stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/the-story-is-everything-which-means-it-s-our-job-to-tell-better/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) [Browse all 23 Tell Better quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell-better-360414/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I observed that the greatest speakers didn’t just tell better stories. 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