Lead with a Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives That Captivate, Convince, and Inspire

Paul Smith

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Storytelling has come of age in the business world. Today, many of the most successful companies use storytelling as a leadership tool. At Nike, all senior executives are designated “corporate storytellers.” 3M banned bullet points years ago and replaced them with a process of writing “strategic narratives.” Procter & Gamble hired Hollywood directors to teach its executives storytelling techniques. Some forward-thinking business schools have even added storytelling courses to their management curriculum.

The reason for this is simple: Stories have the ability to engage an audience the way logic and bullet points alone never could. Whether you are trying to communicate a vision, sell an idea, or inspire commitment, storytelling is a powerful business tool that can mean the difference between mediocre results and phenomenal success.

Lead with a Story contains both ready-to-use stories and how-to guidance for readers looking to craft their own. Designed for a wide variety of business challenges, the book shows how narrative can help:

• Define culture and values

• Engender creativity and innovation

• Foster collaboration and build relationships

• Provide coaching and feedback

• Lead change

• And more

Whether in a speech or a memo, communicated to one person or a thousand, storytelling is an essential skill for success. Complete with examples from companies like Kellogg's, Merrill-Lynch, Procter & Gamble, National Car Rental, Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut, and more, this practical resource gives readers the guidance they need to deliver stories to stunning effect.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Storytelling in Business: Emphasizes the significance of storytelling as a powerful tool for communication and persuasion in the business context.

  2. Engaging Audiences: Discusses how compelling narratives captivate audiences, making complex ideas more relatable and memorable.

  3. Illustrating Values and Messages: Advocates for using stories to convey company values, vision, and messages, making them more impactful and understandable.

  4. Building Rapport: Highlights how personal stories can help build rapport and trust with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.

  5. Problem-Solution Narratives: Encourages the use of stories that outline challenges, solutions, and outcomes, providing context and illustrating successes or lessons learned.

  6. Leadership and Influence: Discusses how leaders can use stories to inspire, motivate, and influence their teams, fostering a sense of purpose and direction.

  7. Emotional Connection: Emphasizes the emotional impact of stories in connecting with audiences, evoking empathy, and driving action.

  8. Authenticity: Advocates for authenticity in storytelling, using genuine experiences and narratives that resonate with the audience.

  9. Adaptability of Storytelling: Explores the versatility of storytelling across various business functions, including sales, marketing, leadership, and change management.

  10. Crafting Compelling Narratives: Provides guidance on structuring, crafting, and delivering effective stories tailored to specific business objectives.

Language English
ISBN-10 0814420303
ISBN-13 9780814420300
No of pages 288
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Amacom
Published Date 16 Aug 2012

About Author

Author : Paul Smith

1 Books

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