The Secret Language of Leadership: How Leaders Inspire Action Through Narrative

by Stephen Denning

Overview

The book introduces the concept of narrative intelligencean ability to understand and act and react agilely in the quicksilver world of interacting narratives. It shows why this is key to the central task of leadership, what its dimensions are, and how you can measure it. The books lucid explanations, vivid examples and practical tips are essential reading for CEOs, managers, change agents, marketers, salespersons, brand managers, politicians, teachers, parentsanyone who is setting out to the change the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781118047378
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	08/22/2023
Series:	Jossey-Bass Leadership Series , #40
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

The AuthorStephen Denning is senior fellow at the James MacGregor Burns Leadership Academy at the University of Maryland and the author of The Leaders Guide to Storytelling and Squirrel Inc. from Jossey-Bass. He is former program director, knowledge management, at the World Bank. In 2003 he was named as one of the worlds Top Two Hundred Business Gurus. His articles have appeared in leading business publications such as Harvard Business Review and Strategy & Leadership.

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Table of Contents

Preface: My Leadership Journey     vii
What Is Transformational Leadership?     1
Introduction: Ten Mistakes Transformational Leaders Make     3
The Secret Language of Leadership     21
The Language of Leadership: Key Enablers     51
Articulating a Clear, Inspiring Goal     53
The Leader's Own Story: Committing to the Goal     65
Mastering the Audience's Story     80
Cultivating Narrative Intelligence     92
Telling Truthful Stories     116
Leadership Presence: The Body Language of Leadership     132
The Language of Leadership: Key Steps     147
Getting People's Attention     149
Stimulating Desire     166
Reinforcing with Reasons     187
Continuing the Conversation     199
Epilogue     211
Presentation to the Change Management Committee of the World Bank: April 1996     221
Templates and Exercises     229
What's Your Narrative Intelligence?     235
Notes     245
Acknowledgments     265
About the Author     267
Index     269