Review of LEAD WITH A STORY by Paul Smith

Rating: 5 out of 5

LEAD WITH A STORY by Paul Smith is a book about using storytelling in a leadership context. Smith explores the role of storytelling as it has become a viable leadership method in the business world after a time of being a method people commonly avoided as out of place. Smith shows how storytelling works for a leader by helping those being led with understanding and creating motivation to take action.

Each chapter looks at a specific leadership challenge (21 in all) and illustrates how storytelling is used to navigate those challenges. Each chapter was good because uses actual stories to make his point. I especially appreciated the chapters on creating courage and shaping culture. In addition to the leadership challenges, Smith intersperses some chapters on story theory specifically suited to creating leadership narratives.

I've read a lot of leadership books, but because of my love of story, this has to be one of the best I've read. I can't wait to put some of this into practice.

Review copy provided by AMACOM