Neil Bearden: Crafting intentional stories

As a leader, how well do you craft stories that influence people to change?

Storytelling is one of the most critical skills a leader needs, but is so often done badly. Failing to have the desired impact. Done well it convinces people to listen, commit and change.

My guest in this episode, Neil Bearden, is a master in crafting and using stories to help meet an objective. Neal’s outlook on storytelling is influenced by his experience as a former professor, and the idea that to be truly authentic and intentional we just need to be real to ourselves.

Neil shares his views on what a good story involves, looks, and feels like. Also, what it takes to be an interesting person that people want to listen to. Something all leaders need in order to up their game in influencing change in their organisations.

You’ll hear about:

• The importance of good storytelling
• Making contingent judgements
• Syntax, semantics and styles of storytelling
• Getting to seamless authentic delivery
• Knowing someone is serious about improving
• What helps people to be real
• Neil’s thoughts going through transitions
• How is Neil to be with during transitions?
• Life is a random series of transitions
• Living life both scientifically and real

More about Neil

Neil is the co-founder of Plot Wolf, which helps people think, speak, and act with clarity. He was a decision science professor at INSEAD for 15 years, where he taught statistics, behavioural economics, and created the school’s award-winning storytelling course. He’s published in Harvard Business Review and the Financial Times, and taught the Business Storytelling course for The Guardian. He’s helped people from Amazon, Apollo, BCG, Google, McKinsey and Sequoia.

• Neil’s profile
• Plot Wolf