Book review: THE 10 STORIES GREAT LEADERS TELL
Genres:
- Business Management
- Storytelling
- Communication Skills
Review posted on:
25.8.2019
The number of pages:
136 pages
Book rating:
4/5
Year the book was published:
First edition published 2019
Who should read this book:
- Managers, marketers, founders, people in sales.
Why did I pick up this book and what did I expect to get out of it:
The first book I read from Paul Smith was “Lead with a Story”, and ever since then I have been collecting stories and learning about storytelling. So when he published “The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell” it was a sure thing I was going to read it. I like Paul’s writing style and how he makes a full circle with his story by sharing when, how, and why to tell them. In “The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell” I expect to read about 10 different types of stories you can tell in different circumstances to different people. Of course each type of story I expect will have at least one or two examples/case studies.
My thoughts about the book:
“The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell” is a short but very short book that you can read in one sitting, but don’t be fooled by the page count. Paul Smith made sure that the book is packed with insightful information that will help you out in most situations you can find yourself in business. You can pick up the book if you are just starting to learn about storytelling or even if you are an experienced storyteller. Even though it’s a short book I suggest taking your time with every chapter as the author provides you with tips on how to craft your own story at the end of each chapter, and at the end of the book, you get a story checklist to help you get started.
Usually, after reading a chapter, you will get inspired and find a story or two from your own experience for the situation the chapter covered. Write them down, don’t go on since you may forget them. But to be honest I am missing at least a short chapter on key elements of a story (which from a certain perspective would ruin the simplicity of the book). I know Paul talked about story structure in his previous books, and he mentions them in the conclusion section of this book, yet I would love a little bit more examples and instructions for each story element. On the other hand, I love the simplicity of the book and because of it, it makes for a perfect gift to anyone interested in storytelling.
If you pick up this book please let me know what you think of it in the comment section.
A short summary of the book:
Paul Smith starts out by sharing his views on why he believes storytelling is important and why you should work on becoming a better storyteller. Then he dives right into the types of stories, which are:
- A founding story – Where we came from
- A case-for-change story – Why we can’t stay here
- A vision story – Where we’re going
- A strategy story – How we’re going to get there
- A corporate-value story – What we believe
- A customer story – Who we serve
- A sales story – What we do for our customers
- A marketing story – How we’re different from our competitors
- A leadership-philosophy story – Why I lead the way I do
- A recruiting story – Why you should want to work here
My notes from the book:
- The first and most important part of being a great storyteller is knowing what stories to tell.
- Studies have shown that facts are more likely to be remembered if they are embedded in a story than if they are just given to people in a list.
- Sharing a founding story gives employees a chance to be part of something bigger than just their job. It shows the passion and drive behind why the founder started teh company and it can spark the same passion in the employees, potential employees, customers, business partners, and investors.
- Your strategy story represents your choices what you will do and won’t do in order to get there.
- In war and business, it’s often better to make the wrong decision quickly (and then adapt) than to make the right decision slowly. Bad decisions become evident before too long and can be corrected. But indecision can cost you everything because while you are studying the problem your opponents are still moving forward.
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The questions your stories must answer:
- Why should your audience listen to your story? (the hook)
- Where and when did the story take place? (context)
- Who is the main character and what did that person want? (context)
- What was the problem or opportunity the main character ran into? (challenge)
- What did he or she do about it? (conflict or struggle)
- How did it turn out in the end? (resolution)
- What did you learn from it? (lesson)
- What do you think your audience should do now that they’ve heard it? (recommendation)
