The Secret Language of Leadership How Leaders Inspire Action Through Narrative

by Denning, Stephen

• ISBN13: 9780787987893
• ISBN10: 0787987891
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-10-12
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

The book introduces the concept of narrative intelligence-an 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 book's lucid explanations, vivid examples and practical tips are essential reading for CEOs, managers, change agents, marketers, salespersons, brand managers, politicians, teachers, parents-anyone who is setting out to the change the world.

Author Biography

Stephen Denning is senior fellow at the James MacGregor Burns Leadership Academy at the University of Maryland and the author of The Leader's 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 world's Top Two Hundred Business Gurus. His articles have appeared in leading business publications such as Harvard Business Review and Strategy & Leadership.

Table of Contents

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