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Squirrel Inc.: A Fable of Leadership & Storytelling A new book by Steve Denning |
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ADVANCE PRAISE FOR SQUIRREL INC: A FABLE OF LEADERSHIP AND STORYTELLING A BOOK BY STEVE DENNING TO BE PUBLISHED BY JOSSEY-BASS IN JUNE 2004 “Squirrel Inc. is a wonderfully refreshing look at leadership that contains
countless insights on how stories create meaning and can inspire even cynical
management to act. This book is both provocative and evocative.
For weeks after reading this book, its central messages kept resonating
in my head. I highly recommend this book – and it is a great read,
as well.
“The success of a leader can best be measured by how many who actually
followed. In the management literature of today, we are overestimating
the more rational dimensions of leadership and underestimating the importance
of how to craft a story that attracts the fullness of human desire. Steve
Denning's work is an important reminder and great inspiration to all leaders
who wish to connect with their employees on all the human dimensions required
to create true followership.”
“Sometimes as you read a book, excitement flares through you igniting
new understanding and certainty. Squirrel, Inc. is one of those books.
Chapter by chapter, I found myself stopping to think, write notes in the
margin and look for powerful change stories. Every leader, manager
and seller of ideas or products deserves to read this book. Read
it and find the stories in your own life and organization.”
“Good business leaders know that there is no hard line between soft
and hard, between art and science, between reality and magic. Steve Denning,
a master and a leader in the value of storytelling, shows in the book how
they all combine in storytelling as a leadership tool.”
“Squirrel Inc. is invaluable because the formulas for “situation storytelling”
are revealed in a clear and concise manner, and can be immediately applied.
Proven techniques are aligned with 7 different situations reoccurring in
business, in our communities and our personal lives. The question is not
whether storytelling successfully communicates knowledge or can persuade
individuals into action, but rather if the appropriate level of passion
and the correct storytelling techniques have been applied.
“What a wonderful story of growth and development! As we learn about
this community of squirrels called Squirrel, Inc., we are taught about
the ways that we interact with others. We learn the principles of leadership
and how to apply them through different types of stories in a non threatening
way. And, in the process we learn about ourselves. This is the best book
on leadership that I have read since ‘Watership Down’ so many years ago.”
“I've witnessed the power of narrative in my work and life, but haven't
had the tools to effectively employ story when I've needed it most.
Denning's book provides the "how to" for which I've been looking.”
“Squirrel Inc. is a fascinating book about leadership and change and
the role of narrative in both. Told as a fable through the dialogue
of a community of squirrels, the narrative keeps your attention leading
you to learn about some of those indescribable qualities of leadership
that actually inspire others to follow. I was particularly captivated
by the section on leadership and resilience and would highly recommend
this book to anyone who is interested the true nature of leadership.”
“Squirrel, Inc. is the best book I have read on the subject of how to
take the art of storytelling and make a real impact on the life of a company.
Moreover, it's an engaging read from cover to cover filled with useful
ideas that you can immediately apply to real business challenges. While
the setting is the fictitious world of squirrels, you won't fail to see
a little of yourself and the heroes and villains of your own organization
who daily fight to influence and change the hearts and minds of decision
makers, staff, and the consumers you serve.”
“As a storytelling professional I consider Squirrel Inc. to be the premier
resource for conveying the power of narrative in organizations today. It
clearly articulates the distinctive attributes of effective storytelling,
according to intent... perhaps the most useful way to approach the subject.
This is the best thing I have read on effective organizational storytelling.”
“I couldn't put Squirrel Inc, down! Steve Denning with brilliant writing
and creativity has demonstrated the natural dynamic and beauty of integrating
the imagination of the right brain with the container and analytic framework
of the left brain. In doing so, Steve has demonstrated the power of story
and why it works! Steve Denning has woven a story – that becomes our own
– and in doing so, he is revolutionizing how organizations will succeed
in the 2004 and beyond! Reading Squirrel, Inc will simultaneously
spur the imagination and hone the understanding of anyone who wants to
be effective and fulfilled whether at work or at play.”
“This book is something new. Nestled in what appears to be a simple
story are elements of deep management concepts served up with new life
and insights. Steve Denning blends story practice with management theory
and draws you into both with subtle ease – one might even say, sleight
of hand. Drawing from his own life experience – the greatest teacher of
management – he has turned it into an engaging story of stories. I loved
most that the characters seem every bit real and consistent – right to
the end. They leave you thinking, ‘This could have happened!’”
“During my 17 years as CEO of a landscape construction company, I struggled
to find ways to increase morale, imbue our corporate ethos, and energize
our staff. Toward that end, I ran workshops, hired industry consultants
and talked a blue streak. But I never thought about story telling.
As I read Steve Denning's theories, equally simple as clever, I felt sad
for not bringing such an effective set of ideas into my company.
What a positive effect they would surely have had.
“Unique in describing how storytelling can be used as an effective leadership
and organization change tool, Squirrel Inc. opens up a whole new field
that has been largely ignored. A must fun-read for every business leader."
“Squirrel Inc takes organisational storytelling to the next level.
As a professional storyteller working in the corporate environment I found
that it articulates simply, effectively and instructively the most important
aspects of storytelling within organisations. The thing I found most useful
was the outlining of the seven highest forms of organisational storytelling
and all the caveats. I believe it is an essential tool for every storyteller
wanting to take the leap into the choppy waters of 'Corporania', as well
as for story champions within organisations. And while stories can't solve
all organisational issues they can make the journey more enjoyable.”
“When I realized, deep down, that analysis, however brilliant, explanations,
however thorough, and reasons, however logical, would all leave things
just as they were before, Squirrel Inc. showed me – clearly – another way.”
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