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

..".full of ideas on how to use narratives to engage your listener." --Financial Times "I truly adore this book and recommend it to busy executives who want a quick source of material to use in their presentations and communications." --Speaking Practically "I've been searching for an excellent book on storytelling in business. And I found it: Paul Smith's Lead with a Story." --Speaking Practically Masters in Communications 100 Influential Books Every Communications Major Must Read 2014 "If you brief people, make speeches, or give presentations to your board or other groups, the book is worth your time." --Musings from the CU Suite ..".offers interesting, engaging and practical advice for effectively crafting your own stories to better accomplish your personal and organizational goals." --The Journal of Healthcare Contracting NOOP (Exploring the Networked Economy) 40 Best Influence & Persuasion Books 2013 ..".this practical resource gives readers the guidance they need to deliver stories to stunning effect." --Abduzeedo Design Inspiration "Get a jump start on developing your own bank of leadership stories and check out Lead with a Story today." --Seven Story Learning ..".brilliant...filled with rare insights and 'you had to be there' style stories, this book lives up to its promise of using storytelling to deliver powerful lessons." --Rohit Bhargava blog "The book is chock full of great stories and clear, simple techniques you can use to be a better storyteller." --thoughtLeaders ExecRank Distinction Awards for Business Books 2012 ..".shows readers how to tell stories that build bridges into their future. If you want to go far, combine your competence with storytelling." --Leadership Freak "Buy this book and let it help you find your story. Let Paul Smith show you how to tell that story." --PCB007 ..".anyone could pick up the book, understand the actionable advice, and begin telling their own stories right away." --SalesEngine.com ..".thoughtful, meaty, comprehensive and seriously useful... profoundly straightforward and helpful..." --Authentic Organizations ..".outlines a comprehensive, yet very practical guide to telling stories in business...a must read for anyone who engages with customers, stakeholders and employees." --CMSWire.com "Paul Smith is the consummate storyteller, but he is also a generous, sharing teacher who imparts a great deal of wisdom in his book." --ForeWord Reviews ..".touts the value of story telling as a communication tool for business people." --800-CEO-Read "If you are a speaker, a teacher, a friend, a pastor, a worker, a leader...you will learn from this book! PICK IT UP!" --I'd Rather Be Craving blog "[Smith's] depth of understanding on how to craft great stories...has him doing some of the most important work of our time on the subject." --Ryan Powell blog 27 Gen: Generational Learning Works Both Ways 12 Best Books 2012 "Packed with a wide variety of stories and scores of key lessons on leadership, Lead with a Story is an engaging and informative resource for any leader." --Soundview blog The Influential Marketing Book Award 2012 "getAbstract recommends that managers, salespeople and presenters read this charming compilation, from its useful instructions all the way to its happily ever after." --getAbstract "Take your leadership skills to a higher level by crafting business stories that captivate, convince, and inspire!" --Management is a Journey ..".provid[es] the literary tools to create great stories that can teach, motivate and lead." --Wharton Magazine "By taking Smith's instructions to heart and becoming master storytellers, we may all avoid fidgeting, glassy-eyed audiences in the future." --ABA Banking Journal

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.