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Powered by Storytelling
HARNESS THE UNIVERSAL POWER OF STORYTELLING TO IMPROVE ALL OF YOUR BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS. What's your story? It's a question human beings have been asking each other since we first gathered around a campfire. Millennia later, this human need for storytelling hasn't changed. We communicate most effectively through our personal stories?and our professional success depends on it. This groundbreaking guide shows you how to tap into the timeless power of storytelling to transform your business. Here, executive coach, motivational speaker, and psychologist Murray Nossel, PhD, distills decades of experience into a simple method that will enable you the right story for a particular audience and purpose. Leverage your own experiences, memories, history, and heritage. Create, develop, and craft a universal story that resonates. Connect with business associates on a more personal, relatable level. Share your corporate vision and goals?and get others on board. Resolve workplace conflicts and find workable solutions. Boost creativity, spread ideas, and spark true innovation. Improve teamwork and collaboration through listening and learning. Integrate storytelling into all your communications for ongoing success. You'll learn the proven three-step method Murray's firm, Narativ, uses with its clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofits. First, you excavate your personal memories and experiences to generate story ideas that suit your particular needs. Second, you craft and shape these elements into a classic story structure that really connects with audiences. Third, you present your story to your business audience using simple performance techniques that anyone can master. A fundamental element of this method is a focus on the ability to hear yourself, as well as the feedback provided by a given audience?because it is your audience's listening that shapes your telling. Everyone needs to communicate well to succeed in business. And everyone has a story to tell. Powered by Storytelling shows you how to tell your story, connect with your audience, and achieve results.
208 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 31, 2018
This is a book one began to warm to, but it does require a more in-depth, more sequential read for best effect, which is perhaps not a surprise when it advocates the use of storytelling as a means to transform how you communicate, ostensibly for business purposes.
The author has developed a method based on the fundamental human instinct of telling a story, refining it through decades of workplace experience, research and observation. While it is an interesting read, with powerful potential in the right situation, I may slightly disagree with the publisher’s blurb that it is a ‘groundbreaking guide’ in itself, but this may be just a trivial difference of interpretation. In any case, if you get on with the book and form a connection, it may be something for you. It is competitively priced and thus worth a check, as the potential reward is high.
In many situations, storytelling can be an engaging activity, but far too many stories appear to be convoluted, inauthentic or overly polished for their task. Maybe this book can help you find the right story and then guide you to developing how you express your memories, experiences and background going forward. The author states that a three-step method, as used by his own consulting company for its clients, can make a difference. It is worth a try, and much of the advice can be utilised even within non-story specific communications too.
My only concern, as a reader, was the story/narrative-type approach of the book itself. It may boil down to style and preference, but I find such books less actionable and inspirational than perhaps more sterile, focussed guides. The story, so to speak, being offered was not dull, but it was a harder slog than one would have liked and perhaps a lesser book, or something not being reviewed, may have been put to the side.
Dependent on your perception and personal take on stories, this may be either a good book in general or an excellent book in focus. It is best to take a look and determine for yourself! At the start of the book were a number of positive comments from various business executives and leaders and, of course, they loved it, but they did give interesting insight into what bits they liked and why, making my guarded concerns more certain to be issues of interpretation and taste, rather than an explicit problem with the book itself.
The author has developed a method based on the fundamental human instinct of telling a story, refining it through decades of workplace experience, research and observation. While it is an interesting read, with powerful potential in the right situation, I may slightly disagree with the publisher’s blurb that it is a ‘groundbreaking guide’ in itself, but this may be just a trivial difference of interpretation. In any case, if you get on with the book and form a connection, it may be something for you. It is competitively priced and thus worth a check, as the potential reward is high.
In many situations, storytelling can be an engaging activity, but far too many stories appear to be convoluted, inauthentic or overly polished for their task. Maybe this book can help you find the right story and then guide you to developing how you express your memories, experiences and background going forward. The author states that a three-step method, as used by his own consulting company for its clients, can make a difference. It is worth a try, and much of the advice can be utilised even within non-story specific communications too.
My only concern, as a reader, was the story/narrative-type approach of the book itself. It may boil down to style and preference, but I find such books less actionable and inspirational than perhaps more sterile, focussed guides. The story, so to speak, being offered was not dull, but it was a harder slog than one would have liked and perhaps a lesser book, or something not being reviewed, may have been put to the side.
Dependent on your perception and personal take on stories, this may be either a good book in general or an excellent book in focus. It is best to take a look and determine for yourself! At the start of the book were a number of positive comments from various business executives and leaders and, of course, they loved it, but they did give interesting insight into what bits they liked and why, making my guarded concerns more certain to be issues of interpretation and taste, rather than an explicit problem with the book itself.
April 13, 2018
3.5 stars
This book offers an interesting approach to business communication. As the title indicates, the format is based on the author's experience with storytelling. A large portion of the book is geared toward teaching the reader how to listen and remove obstacles to listening without judgment or expectation. I agree with the author that listening is an essential element of storytelling. While the delivery was a little drier than I expected for a book on storytelling, readers looking to improve their communication skills might learn something. The prompts and scripts toward the end of the book are helpful, and the examples will show readers how to employ the suggested techniques. While this isn't a groundbreaking approach, I would recommend it to business leaders who want to try something new or clarify their message and interoffice communication skills.
I received an e-copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book offers an interesting approach to business communication. As the title indicates, the format is based on the author's experience with storytelling. A large portion of the book is geared toward teaching the reader how to listen and remove obstacles to listening without judgment or expectation. I agree with the author that listening is an essential element of storytelling. While the delivery was a little drier than I expected for a book on storytelling, readers looking to improve their communication skills might learn something. The prompts and scripts toward the end of the book are helpful, and the examples will show readers how to employ the suggested techniques. While this isn't a groundbreaking approach, I would recommend it to business leaders who want to try something new or clarify their message and interoffice communication skills.
I received an e-copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2018
I did not particularly enjoy this book. I agree with the importance and power of storytelling on both a personal and business level, however, I felt like I was slogging through this book like I would reading a textbook. I think his business approach must be more powerful through his presentations. It seemed weird that the book didn't feel like it was written in an interesting, engaging storytelling format when that was what the book was all about!
April 15, 2026
3.5 out of 5 stars. Selecting 4 stars because I enjoyed the thought process behind the research and application.
An interesting approach to enhancing communication in the workplace by taking a humanistic approach.
Despite reading (listening) to this book for work, I found myself intrigued by Dr. Murray Nossel's early group paychology work with HIV/AIDs patients in New York City in the 1980s and how he built upon that work to establish his business tactics presented in this book. His "Grandparent Exercise" tickled my mind as a storyteller, and hearing its impacts during business conferences was amazing. His effort to improve functionality in the workplace by linking it to human beings' oldest form of communication is a novel idea. Exercises to improve listening skills are also useful by pointing out factors that hinder that ability will enable me to better serve my clients during our conversations.
I recommend this book for any person looking to improve their communication and listening skills in their work environment. Also, for fledgling writers since Dr. Nossel breaks down how to map out, flesh out, and elevate any story one is looking to share. While I realize his ideas are not applicable for every set of circumstances, they still have a wide reaching audience whenever two humans need to share ideas.
An interesting approach to enhancing communication in the workplace by taking a humanistic approach.
Despite reading (listening) to this book for work, I found myself intrigued by Dr. Murray Nossel's early group paychology work with HIV/AIDs patients in New York City in the 1980s and how he built upon that work to establish his business tactics presented in this book. His "Grandparent Exercise" tickled my mind as a storyteller, and hearing its impacts during business conferences was amazing. His effort to improve functionality in the workplace by linking it to human beings' oldest form of communication is a novel idea. Exercises to improve listening skills are also useful by pointing out factors that hinder that ability will enable me to better serve my clients during our conversations.
I recommend this book for any person looking to improve their communication and listening skills in their work environment. Also, for fledgling writers since Dr. Nossel breaks down how to map out, flesh out, and elevate any story one is looking to share. While I realize his ideas are not applicable for every set of circumstances, they still have a wide reaching audience whenever two humans need to share ideas.
February 8, 2020
Well, I loved this book :) Though I have a background in journalism, I strugle with how to write inspiring business stories. This book has showed me in a very pragmatic way, how this can be done; but as well how we can connect with audience and use storytelling on our meetings, presentations.
Perhaps the rating of this book is not as high (looking at other reviews) because people can have a hard time to connect with themselves and consequently all the rest of the tips and tricks are less benefitial. The author has a background in psychology so in many aspects she asks us to be more self-reflective; ask for permission to speak; and release the obstacles that are in the way. This can be a hard job for some people, but it is still the right way. Thanks for sharing this knowledge!
Perhaps the rating of this book is not as high (looking at other reviews) because people can have a hard time to connect with themselves and consequently all the rest of the tips and tricks are less benefitial. The author has a background in psychology so in many aspects she asks us to be more self-reflective; ask for permission to speak; and release the obstacles that are in the way. This can be a hard job for some people, but it is still the right way. Thanks for sharing this knowledge!
January 25, 2023
Honestly, I am quite confused with the flow of the book. Especially on why we should tell our grandparents story to colleagues? why not telling about our parents instead? 🤔
But just like any other book, there is interesting point to learn. Which is for this book is to tell what happened story according to the five senses. ‘if you cant hear it, taste it, smell it, touch it, and/or see it, then it didnt happen’. This way of telling story, will help to take out/minimize all interpretations, opinions, judgments, statements of feeling of the listeners.
And one more interesting point is how listening and telling story has close connection. Therefore, one of key point of successful storytelling is to remove the obstacles of listening be it from the storytellers or from the audience.
#wulsread
But just like any other book, there is interesting point to learn. Which is for this book is to tell what happened story according to the five senses. ‘if you cant hear it, taste it, smell it, touch it, and/or see it, then it didnt happen’. This way of telling story, will help to take out/minimize all interpretations, opinions, judgments, statements of feeling of the listeners.
And one more interesting point is how listening and telling story has close connection. Therefore, one of key point of successful storytelling is to remove the obstacles of listening be it from the storytellers or from the audience.
#wulsread
August 2, 2023
This was required reading for a business course I took. I was excited about the class and looked forward to the read, highlighters in hand.
Though I enjoyed was quickly discovered the content to be self-serving for the author with his “Narativ Approach”. Most of it I already knew from other journalism/writing courses (be a good listener, everybody has a story, tell what happened) and the suggested exercises were silly and second nature to good writers anyway.
So yeah, I was disappointed in the text but still enjoyed the course.
Though I enjoyed was quickly discovered the content to be self-serving for the author with his “Narativ Approach”. Most of it I already knew from other journalism/writing courses (be a good listener, everybody has a story, tell what happened) and the suggested exercises were silly and second nature to good writers anyway.
So yeah, I was disappointed in the text but still enjoyed the course.
June 11, 2018
This book will help you on hoe to get your message across in story form. Sharing story with others is how we preserve our cultural heritage not to mention that it’s how we express ourselves to the world.
The best idea that resonates with me on this book is how to present our stories as vividly as possible necessitating to discard the narrator’s interpretation of the situation.
The best idea that resonates with me on this book is how to present our stories as vividly as possible necessitating to discard the narrator’s interpretation of the situation.
March 22, 2025
There is one technique here that I really enjoyed, the "record camara" how to create your story based on not including feelings or things that would not be record with a camera but being more descriptive, it was easy to read it, was my first book about story telling, I could understand the concepts and there are some examples that clarify the story, I was expective a little more though.
September 24, 2018
Unfortunately, I did not find value in this book. I've read a few books on presentations/storytelling and this one did not live up to its premise. I was left feeling that the author's true strength must be in coaching and working directly with clients rather than in writing.
December 27, 2018
Could have been an essay or a longer article. Far too long for what it comprises.
August 27, 2018
Murray Nossel’s book Powered by Storytelling: Excavate, Craft, and Present Stories to Transform Business Communication is dense complexity made gloriously clear and actionable.
Let’s ignore the bit about transforming business communication. Essential though that may be, it limits the potential of a terrifically important book for every person. All communication is story — and we can all use improved story telling and listening skills to live more abundantly, wisely, and joyfully.
Anytime there are two people in dialogue, there is story between them, one person telling the story and the other listening. In Nossel’s model, listening is the vessel that shapes the story, so both the telling and the receiving are equal parts in the exchange, one shaping and enriching the other.
Humans are wired for story, crave it as we do food, air, water. We make sense of the world through story, through the experiences we live and interpret to the experiences that others relate in story that instruct, entertain, and inspire.
Nossel has made a lifetime of teaching storytelling. That expertise resounds in this book, where story is distilled to its essential pieces along with the way that an individual can develop their own stories.
This is a seminal work in storytelling. If I were only allowed three books on writing, this would be one.
The only thing wrong with the book is the subtitle. I see the value in this book extending far, far, far beyond business communication. It belongs everywhere, in education, government, and all enterprises, including families and communities. It belongs on every writer’s desk for starters…
We live and die by the stories we tell. Some earn money from their stories; all of us use stories to understand and navigate the world and live life as best we know how.
Nossel presents a simple, memorable way of getting to the core of story:
Answer Why Story? and Why Now?
Identify and Release Obstacles to Listening
Remember Your Heritage
Tell What Happened and Find Your Ending
Connect With Your Audience
This novelist sat bolt upright when I read Nossel’s counsel to use the senses to tell story — and no interpretation, summaries, or themes to take away. It is the ultimate in showing, not telling; all you can use is the senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. I’ve heard it, read it, proclaimed it before, but never inhabited what it means to do this — and Nossel provided vivid case studies of storytellers working their way to tight, powerful, memorable stories.
Rapt, I read faster and faster, discovering the simplest arc for story that I’ve seen described so simply and well: First Line; Last Line; Emotional Turning Point (highest point of emotion).
That’s it. That’s all you need.
Get those right and there’s your story.
I’m not there.
Not even close.
But I’m getting there, thanks in part to Nossel’s excellent Powered by Storytelling.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the review — now I’m off to buy a book that I cannot wait to add to my writer’s bookshelf. While I’m off in the world acquiring the book, I am also learning more about Nossel’s Narativ organization devoted to storytelling and business communication — so much to learn, so impactful and important…
Let’s ignore the bit about transforming business communication. Essential though that may be, it limits the potential of a terrifically important book for every person. All communication is story — and we can all use improved story telling and listening skills to live more abundantly, wisely, and joyfully.
Anytime there are two people in dialogue, there is story between them, one person telling the story and the other listening. In Nossel’s model, listening is the vessel that shapes the story, so both the telling and the receiving are equal parts in the exchange, one shaping and enriching the other.
Humans are wired for story, crave it as we do food, air, water. We make sense of the world through story, through the experiences we live and interpret to the experiences that others relate in story that instruct, entertain, and inspire.
Nossel has made a lifetime of teaching storytelling. That expertise resounds in this book, where story is distilled to its essential pieces along with the way that an individual can develop their own stories.
This is a seminal work in storytelling. If I were only allowed three books on writing, this would be one.
The only thing wrong with the book is the subtitle. I see the value in this book extending far, far, far beyond business communication. It belongs everywhere, in education, government, and all enterprises, including families and communities. It belongs on every writer’s desk for starters…
We live and die by the stories we tell. Some earn money from their stories; all of us use stories to understand and navigate the world and live life as best we know how.
Nossel presents a simple, memorable way of getting to the core of story:
Answer Why Story? and Why Now?
Identify and Release Obstacles to Listening
Remember Your Heritage
Tell What Happened and Find Your Ending
Connect With Your Audience
This novelist sat bolt upright when I read Nossel’s counsel to use the senses to tell story — and no interpretation, summaries, or themes to take away. It is the ultimate in showing, not telling; all you can use is the senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. I’ve heard it, read it, proclaimed it before, but never inhabited what it means to do this — and Nossel provided vivid case studies of storytellers working their way to tight, powerful, memorable stories.
Rapt, I read faster and faster, discovering the simplest arc for story that I’ve seen described so simply and well: First Line; Last Line; Emotional Turning Point (highest point of emotion).
That’s it. That’s all you need.
Get those right and there’s your story.
I’m not there.
Not even close.
But I’m getting there, thanks in part to Nossel’s excellent Powered by Storytelling.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the review — now I’m off to buy a book that I cannot wait to add to my writer’s bookshelf. While I’m off in the world acquiring the book, I am also learning more about Nossel’s Narativ organization devoted to storytelling and business communication — so much to learn, so impactful and important…
January 15, 2020
Powered by Storytelling
By Murray Nossel
3 Stars
This title works on the premises that humans are hardwired for liking and living through stories. That it is through stories that we can overcome obstacles.
The book promotes the ‘Narrative Approach’ to storytelling, which the authors promote through their communication consultancy firm. Through their services and partly through the book.
The book does contain several strategies to approaching and delivering storytelling.
This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com
This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review.
# PoweredByStorytelling #NetGalley
By Murray Nossel
3 Stars
This title works on the premises that humans are hardwired for liking and living through stories. That it is through stories that we can overcome obstacles.
The book promotes the ‘Narrative Approach’ to storytelling, which the authors promote through their communication consultancy firm. Through their services and partly through the book.
The book does contain several strategies to approaching and delivering storytelling.
This title has been reviewed by www.books-reviewed.weebly.com
This title was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in return for an open and honest review.
# PoweredByStorytelling #NetGalley
March 7, 2020
Tips-urile utile și metodele pe care le propune Murray Nossel te ajută să îți exprimi cât mai bine povestea din spatele produsului pe care îl vinzi, să treci de barierele emoționale pe care ți le impui, să te conectezi cu publicul tău și să-i convingi că produsul pe care-l prezinți este cel mai bun de pe piață.
La scurt timp după ce am citit Powered by storytelling, m-am hotărât să îmi cumpăr un domeniu online și să-mi deschid un blog de carte. Încă nu îmi vine să cred cât de mult m-a motivat și m-a influențat o cărțulie de 200 și un pic de pagini.
Recenzia mea: https://cristianascrie.ro/6-idei-chei...
La scurt timp după ce am citit Powered by storytelling, m-am hotărât să îmi cumpăr un domeniu online și să-mi deschid un blog de carte. Încă nu îmi vine să cred cât de mult m-a motivat și m-a influențat o cărțulie de 200 și un pic de pagini.
Recenzia mea: https://cristianascrie.ro/6-idei-chei...
April 11, 2018
This is a good book. The author talk and share some really valuable insights on the importance of making it easy for people to listen to stories. They also help in mining for some interesting stories from within our lives and how best to tell them in a given context...
February 15, 2020
Clear explanations given to build your story for the audience. I would argue however that too many pages were given for effective listening and how to eliminate barriers, even if you don’t get this right you might not get to your audience.
September 20, 2020
Captivating
Loved the way author built the storytelling chapters and kept in mind that readers might forget the line of thought. Started chapters by summary of what was learnt thus far. Loved the examples. Helped relate it. Could have been little simpler.
Loved the way author built the storytelling chapters and kept in mind that readers might forget the line of thought. Started chapters by summary of what was learnt thus far. Loved the examples. Helped relate it. Could have been little simpler.
March 28, 2018
A very good book, full of interesting information. A great resource for improving or learning about storytelling.
Many thanks to McGraw-Hill Education and Netgalley
Many thanks to McGraw-Hill Education and Netgalley
April 3, 2021
People like to listen story, it is more easy to deliver the message to people through telling a story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews