Change is Hard

One of the oldest sayings in business is, “change is hard.” Certainly that can be true, but can I be so bold as to suggest that it is momentum and attitude that are really at the root of making change hard. Much like a large seagoing vessel, once business gets moving in one direction it becomes very hard, seemingly impossible, to slow that momentum and change direction.

Equally difficult is attempting to change attitude. Those who averse to change will utilize the rallying cry “that’s not the way we do things!” Momentum and attitude have swallowed many leaders whole in a wide array of business and industry. Could that be why there are literally shelves full of books offering up advice on change leadership.

Two new entries in the category offer up winning guidance on how to lead change and utilize storytelling to gain the buy in you need to truly make and impactful change and they achieve it without falling into the well-worn business book trap of offering up a parable about a new location for your favorite dairy product.

The Storyteller’s Secret – From TED Speakers to Business Leaders, Why Some Ideas Catch on and Others Don’t - Carmine Gallo (St. Martin’s Press)

What is it you want to do? Is your goal to; grow a business, make more sales, educate, inspire, evolve or change a culture, lead a group or organization? Ask yourself…can storytelling help you to have an impact and achieve the goal you are seeking? I think the simple and direct answer is yes.

Now the question becomes what makes storytelling work and how do you become the kind of storyteller that can have an impact and achieve the goal(s) you are seeking? That in a nutshell is what bestselling author and communication expert Carmine Gallo sets out to help you with, in his new book, The Storyteller’s Secret – From TED Speakers to Business Leaders, Why Some Ideas Catch on and Others Don’t.

 

Gallo breaks down not only how to craft an effective story, but also how the delivery can up the ante on the power of persuasion. I think the case can certainly be made that some folks have the inherent ability to weave a spellbinding tale and others maybe not so much. That’s where training and practice can help. I want to be clear; this is not a book on public speaking and there is a VAST difference between speaking and storytelling.

Gallo provides a range of storytelling/teller examples throughout the book. He also offers up a storyteller’s checklist in each of the chapters that will offers not only additional insight, but also a roadmap to storytelling success that you can put to use when you develop your story and how you tell it.

Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies and Symbols – Nancy Duarte and Patti Sanchez – (Portfolio)

Nancy Duarte, the bestselling author, communications guru and CEO of Silicon Valley design firm Duarte and her chief strategy officer Patti Sanchez offer up what I will call the third installment in Duarte’s effective communication series, Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies and Symbols.

Illuminate, as the title suggests moves beyond just telling stories by adding a visual element to the change communication process. Duarte and Sanchez drill down the process of transformation to a five stage process and illustrate how utilizing a series of tools can help leaders through the process.

The duo also walk you through the process by showing you how other successful leaders/businesses have used these five stages and the tools to successful negotiate buy in and navigate through change successfully. Like the other books in the series, there is a real hands on feel to the narrative and adaptable action steps that would provide a blueprint no matter what the business category.

NO surprise that leaders from the design realm would bring a visual element to help bring a sharper focus and illustrate the process steps. The thing I like about the books in this set are each stand on their own individually and will bring value to your role as a leader.