The Astonishing Power of Storytelling

Robert J. Garmston is Emeritus Professor of Educational Administration at California State University, Sacramento. He is co-developer of Cognitive Coaching with Art Costa and co-developer of Adaptive Schools with Bruce Wellman. He has worked as an educational consultant and made presentations and conducted workshops for teachers, administrators, and staff developers on leadership, learning, and personal and organizational development in twenty-four countries on five continents. Formerly an administrator and teacher in Saudi Arabia and the United States, his work has been translated into Arabic, Dutch, Hebrew, Italian, and Spanish. Bob lives in El Dorado Hills, California, near his five children and five (bright and cute) grandchildren.

Featuring current cognitive neuroscience research and updated references, this guidebook shows how to leverage the power of storytelling to engage and persuade any audience.

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author and IllustratorPART I: WHY STORIES WORK1. Why Tell Stories Communication Suffocation Leading Through Narrative Watch A Story Being Told How Storytelling Began2. The Neuroscience of Narrative Story Worth Watching Stories Arouse Cooperative Instincts $$$ The Million-Dollar Story Desired-State StoriesPART II: FIND, DESIGN, AND DELIVER YOUR STORY3. Finding Personal Stories Story Categories Locating Personal Story Material Stories About Your Organization Finding Your Personal Stories4. Other Story Sources Six Story Sources Biographies Films and Television Histories Literature Stories Unique to a Particular Culture Two Stories Worth Watching Metaphor Stories5. Why Are Metaphors Important? How Metaphors Are Processed Right Hemisphere Engagement Four Uses of Metaphor Teach Concepts Generate Ideas Empower Go Beyond Logic Subtexts of Metaphor6. Desirable Story Features Engaging Openings Have a Beginning, Middle, and End Use Present Tense Use Sensory Images Include Tensions Embed Conflict Create Voices Use Memorable Closings Seven Steps to Preparing a New Story7. Delivering Your Story Animation Stand Like You Are Credible Centering Vocal Variety Intentional Movement Story Worth Watching Use Questions to Invite the Audience InPART III: CHANGING BEHAVIORS WITH STORY8. Promote Change: Story Structure and Examples Desired State Resistance Applying the Desired-State Map: Three Examples 1. Shouting at a Parent 2. Bear in the Cage 3. A Strong, Yet Delicate Rose Presume Positive Intentions9. Meet Groups Where They Are Pacing Indirect Suggestions What Listeners Experience10. Design for the Intuitive Mind Invoking Receptivity Beyond Waking Awareness Story Elements for Subliminal Processes Pacing Misdirection Artfully Vague Language Tensions Indirect Suggestions11. How Two Stories Changed Behaviors General Components of a Well-Formed Story Factual Specificity Presentation Congruity Audience Appropriateness Elicits Empathy Contains Submerged Moral or Point of View Creates Internal Representations Bypasses Protective Filters Parallels the Audience's Situation Lingers on Point of Irresolution Marks Embedded Commands Offers Resolutions12. In ConclusionStory Catalog Organizing the Stories Shifting Perceptions Inviting Learning Inspiring Action Seeking Desired StatesGuide to Story LocationsAPPENDIX Worksheet 1: Metaphor Subtexts Worksheet 2: Anatomy of Desired-State Stories Worksheet 3: Constructing a Desired-State Story Poetry Referenced in the PrefaceStorytelling Study CompanionReferencesIndex