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

"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."--Publisher description LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH STORYTELLINGWith clarity around your message, you will energize those you lead and create a vision they can buy into. But first, you must first write the story that will get them excited and ready to execute.Clarity is key for any successful leader, so much so that top corporations, such as Micorsoft. Nike, Proctor and Gamble, Kimberly Clark, and many more, have incorporated storytelling into their leadership training programs. These companies know that before you can become a strong leader, you must first master the art of storytelling so you can communicate your vision to your team and inspire them to execute on objectives.The power of storytelling will allow you to:Envision Success- lead change by identifying goals in your story and building team commitment.Create an Environment for Winning- create a team culture and identify values that encourage collaboration and value diversity.Energize Your Team- use your story to help others find passion for their work by building courage, inspiration, and motivation.Inspire and Educate- teach your employees key lessons and provide coaching and actionable feedback.Empower Others- use storytelling to delegate authority and encourage targeted innovation that supports your vision.If you want to be a leader others want to follow, you must master storytelling and use that skill to communicate a vision that your team can support.