Leader as Storyteller

I interviewed Steve Denning, known as one of the founders of the movement to use storytelling in organizations, for my podcast, Leading With A Whole New Mind. Steve has written several books on using stories in a purposeful way to achieve business objectives. His latest book, The Leader's Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative, details seven different templates for telling a story, based on a specific purpose. In other words, Steve has used left-brain logical thinking to analyze a right brain activity, storytelling. Brilliant!

We had a fascinating conversation that includes the story of how Steve went from becoming a World Bank manager in charge of making loans in Africa to becoming a guru on business narrative. Look for the interview to be posted next month.

One of the most interesting points that Steve made is this: Organizations are becoming hip to the power of story to enable change in organizations. Leaders are being trained on the art and discipline of storytelling and being evaluated by their skill in telling effective stories.  In other words, storytelling is becoming a leadership competency.

Story is Leadership 101.  Now that's a great tale to tell.

Comments

[Yigal Chamish]

Hello,
Indeed, very interesting. I read Steve's books and we had E-Mail coresspondence as well.
Steve is right: I research this topic in my PhD. deals with "Executives as Storytellers - How executives use storytelling to communicate Knowledge management".
I also meet many executives and organisations regarding these topica.

You can see more, here: http://yigalc.wordpress.com/2006/09/06/executives-as-storytellers-who-else-researching-this-topic-for-phd/

Any help will be appreciated.

Many thanks,