The Perfect Story: How to Tell Stories That Inform, Influence, and Inspire
"Come for the engrossing content, and stay for the lessons that might just change how you talk, write, and lead." --Adam Grant
Learn how to take any story and make it perfect--from storytelling expert Karen Eber, whose popular TED Talk on the subject continues to be a source of inspiration for millions.
What makes a story perfect? How do you tell the perfect story for any occasion?
We live in a story world. Stories are a memorable and engaging way to differentiate yourself, build connection and trust, create new thinking, bring meaning to data, and even influence decision-making. But how do you turn a good story into a great story that informs, influences, and inspires?
In The Perfect Story, Karen Eber--leadership consultant, professional keynote storyteller, and TED speaker--shares the science of storytelling to teach you to:
- Leverage the Five Factory Settings of the Brain to hack the art of storytelling
- Build a toolkit of endless story ideas
- Define the audience for your story
- Apply a memorable story structure
- Engage senses and emotions
- Tell stories with data
- Avoid common storytelling mistakes
- Use your body to tell dynamic stories
- Ensure your story doesn't manipulate
- Navigate and embrace the vulnerability of storytelling
Without relying on complicated models or one-size-fits-all prescriptions, this book makes storytelling accessible with practical and impactful steps for anyone to tell the perfect story for any occasion.
Through interview vignettes, The Perfect Story also shares approaches from different storytellers, including the Sundance Institute cofounder, an executive producer of The Moth, the former creative director at Pixar, the TED Radio Hour podcast host, and many more.
Whether you are leading a team, giving a presentation, hosting a podcast, selling a product or service, interviewing for a job, or giving a toast at a wedding, The Perfect Story will help you take your stories and make them perfect.
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Karen Eber is an international consultant, keynote and TED speaker. As the CEO and Chief Storyteller of Eber Leadership Group, Karen helps companies reimagine and evolve how they build leaders, teams, and culture--often with storytelling. Karen's clients include General Electric, Microsoft, Facebook, Kate Spade, MIT, and London School of Business. She is a four-time American Training and Development winner, frequent contributor to Fast Company, and lives in Atlanta.
The heart of great stories and communications is purpose and precision. The Perfect Story demonstrates how to develop engaging stories for each audience. Karen masterfully weaves in stories that draw you in while offering readers practical steps and tools. If you are looking to be a more memorable and effective communicator, The Perfect Story is for you.--DORIE CLARK, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty --Duke University Fuqua School of Business
'Storytelling is at the heart of every company, project, and meaningful connection. Great stories unite, inspire, and even challenge thinking. Karen Eber shares the steps for building the perfect story for each audience. The Perfect Story will change the way you think about stories and will become a trusted resource you reach for frequently.'--RANDI ZUCKERBERG, New York Times bestselling author of Dot Complicated and Pick Three; CEO of Hug and Zuckerberg Media
The Perfect Story is the perfect book for both novice and seasoned storytellers who need to improve the impact of their creations. Using the latest science, concrete examples, and checklists, The Perfect Story will immediately improve what we all do to influence others--tell stories.--PAUL J. ZAK, Ph.D., Author of Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and the Source of Happiness
'Whether CEO of a company, leader of a team, creator of promotional materials, or simply someone who enjoys hanging out with friends, anyone can benefit from becoming a better storyteller. This delightful book masterfully explains how. Supported by research and packed with engaging stories (of course!), The Perfect Story should be at the top of your reading list this year.'--AMY C. EDMONDSON, Professor of Leadership & Management, Harvard Business School; author of Right Kind of Wrong
'The Perfect Story is an indispensable resource for professionals in leadership and business seeking to master the art of storytelling. The book's comprehensive approach provides readers with the tools to create inspiring visions and missions for their companies, deliver captivating speeches, and build beloved brands. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to master the art of storytelling and take their leadership and business skills to the next level.'--MARSHALL GOLDSMITH, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach; New York Times best-selling author of What Got You Here Won't Get You There
'Karen Eber has combined theory and practice to provide us the ultimate toolbox for narrative excellence. If you're trying to communicate with greater intention and effectiveness, this book is for you.'--DANIEL H. PINK, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret, A Whole New Mind, and Drive
'We all love hearing a great story, but surprisingly few of us know how to tell one. Karen Eber is one of those few, and in this book, she shares her secrets. Come for the engrossing content, and stay for the lessons that might just change how you talk, write, and lead.'--ADAM GRANT, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential; host of the TED podcast Re: Thinking
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