As George Orwell once said, “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed; everything else is public relations.”

Writing should aim to deliver truth — often inconvenient, sometimes uncomfortable, but always authentic. In a world where bias and marketing blur the lines between fact and fiction, storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to cut through the noise.

Steve Jobs captured this perfectly when he said, “The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values and agenda of an entire generation.”

Storytelling isn’t just about crafting a narrative; it’s about shaping how people think, what they value and how they interpret the world around them. For me, it’s not about persuasion or selling an idea, but about connecting with readers on a deeper level, inviting them into a narrative that is both transparent and impactful.

The art of storytelling: more than just facts

Facts, on their own, can often feel robotic — like isolated musical notes that lack emotion or purpose. But when a storyteller arranges those facts into a narrative, something magical happens. They transform into a melody, capable of evoking joy, sorrow or reflection. The difference lies not in the facts themselves but in how we experience them.

As Joseph Stalin, one of history’s most infamous figures, coldly remarked, “A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.” This chilling statement reflects the danger of viewing facts without humanity. When information is presented without context or connection, it loses its ability to resonate with us on a personal level. It is the storyteller’s role to breathe life into these facts, helping the audience to truly see and feel their significance. Whether the result is a beautiful melody or a dissonant disaster depends on the care taken in crafting the story.

The power to shape perspective

At the heart of it, storytelling isn’t just about the facts — it’s about shaping how those facts are perceived. Whether through journalism, opinion pieces or everyday conversations, we have the power to turn isolated details into something meaningful. A well-told story has the potential to inspire action, foster empathy and create a deeper understanding of the world around us.

As writers, we are more than just conveyors of information; we are architects of perspective. The stories we choose to tell — and how we choose to tell them — have the power to influence not just individual minds, but entire generations. And that, I believe, is where the true power of storytelling lies.

• Christian Chin-Gurret is a Bermudian writer with a Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Science in Product Design, who offers a unique perspective on shaping the future of business through innovation, disruption and technology