Storytelling - the critical management skill

I've found that telling a compelling story is crucial to almost everything I've done - managing, teaching/training, selling, parenting. It's a hard skill to master, so I try to read and listen to great storytellers (I've even given it a go on my own, check out my first novel if you're curious).

This morning, I was listening to a podcast called the Turnaround (hosted by Jesse Thorn). What makes this podcast unique is that it gives you insight to how some of my favorites tell their stories (I just finished listening to Anna Sales, who hosts the Death, Sex, & Money podcast and am in the middle of his interview with Ira Glass, who produces so many wonderful podcasts, including This American Life). It makes me think about how these stories are constructed (and for many of Thorn's interviewees, they do construct their stories).

We need to talk to our managers (and budding managers) about the value and craft of storytelling. It's a crucial to inspiring a team or winning over a room of skeptical executives. Podcasts like Jesse Thorn's are a great way to get that conversation started.