Deckard Cain had it right: telling an engaging story is a powerful tool. While we may not be fighting the forces of darkness, the stories and words we use can influence the future of our features, products, and even our company. Storytelling is a powerful tool that can bridge gaps between teams, clarify complex concepts, and keep user needs at the forefront of the development process. Stories and narratives increase engagement and retention. They make it easier to explore "what ifs" through analogies and metaphors.

In this talk, we’ll explore the role of storytelling in software development, such as how narratives can increase empathy with users, drive design decisions (and user-centric design), and align cross-functional teams toward a shared vision. We’ll look at real-world examples of how storytelling has shaped successful projects across multiple industries, and maybe a few failure cases, too. Whether you're a developer, designer, or product manager, you'll leave with actionable insights on how to harness the power of storytelling to build better, more impactful software.