Customer Reviews

The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion through the Art Of Storytelling

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Having seen the previous reviews, I came to this book with high hopes. They were never realised. Obviously the author has hit the nail squarely on the head for some readers, but I'll be hornswoggled if I can tell why.

When I got to the end of the book I was still waiting for something, anything, that would turn my dissatisfaction into a feeling that it had all been worthwhile. But my hopes simply weren't met.

OK. Do you see a pattern in those first two paragraphs? Lots of promise but no delivery, nothing to get your teeth into. That is how this book was *for me*.

The book starts well.
Chapter 1: The Six Stories You Need to Know How to Tell. Great stuff - for the first 26 pages, But somehow that seems to be the nearest we come to anything concrete regarding the art of storytelling. It is followed by over 200 pages of text, but those 200+ pages concentrate almost entirely on "what" you should do, with far too little on "how" to do it.

Things weren't helped by the story at the start of Chapter 6: Sound Bite or Epic. I was already halfway through the book, and still wondering when we were going to get to the meat and potatoes, and the "Somali tale from Ethiopia" about a woman going to a shaman who tells her to get hold of a tiger's whisker, really pulled the plug.
Firstly Somalia (where Somali's come from) and Ethiopia are two separate countries, next-door neighbours, who spend much of the time at each other's throats. Secondly don't Africans have witch doctors, etc. rather than shamans? and thirdly, there are no tigers in Africa, only lions (tigers are found on the Indian subcontinent).

Now you might think this is nit picking, especially since the story itself does illustrate a valid point.
My problem is that this kind of presentation strikes me as being thoroughly disrespectful. It confuses Somalia and Ethiopia, it lumps all "wise men" under the trendy label "shaman", and it shows a basic ignorance of nature. In short, *to me* it says: "I'm telling a story, I don't have to go to the bother of actually getting the factual bits right - not even in the attribution."

Fine, but if an author wants me to pay them for what they're offering then I believe they DO owe their readers sufficient respect to avoid making such basic errors.

My biggest concern, however, is that the book simply doesn't "walk its talk".
If storytelling - or just "story", as the author whimsically insists on calling it throughout most of the book - is supposed to be so effective, shouldn't the book actually *illustrate* this fact rather than just telling me about it?
Why, for example, are a number of the stories included in the book presented in cut down form instead of allowing the reader to savour - and learn from - the full length version?

This author apparently runs workshops on various aspects of storytelling, and for all I know these may be incredibly stimulating and effective. Unfortunately, I found no such excitement in this book, just the same few messages - "storytelling is wonderful", "storytelling builds bridges", etc. - repeated over and over and OVER again.

For my money, just about ANY book by Idries Shah will give more insight into storytelling than "The Story Factor" - even the books that (apparently) contain nothing but stories.

This book does what any book about applied storytelling should do: it describes how to apply storytelling without compromising storytelling's artistic heart.

Annette offers the book as a way to achieve "inspiration, influence and persuasion." By the end of the book, the reader learns that the "secret" of influence is, in fact, what has drawn so many fans to the art of storytelling: stories persuade because they lead us to the common ground of mutual respect - not by giving one party a secret weapon with which to manipulate the other. In Annette's words:

"Story doesn't grab power. Story creates power.... As a storyteller you borrow a story's power to connect people to what is important and to help them make sense of their world." (Page 29).

"The Story Factor" is my favorite "storytelling in business" book. To be sure, I had the pleasure of writing the forward to it. I did so in part because Annette has been my student in storytelling as well as my mentor in my own work with businesses. But I would never write a forward to any book in which I did not believe as deeply as I believe in my own books. I receive no payment from sales of "The Story Factor."

Here are some particular things I liked about "The Story Factor":

1. The description of the "Six Stories You Need to Know How to Tell" is worth the price of the book. People want the answers to certain questions before they'll give you a chance to persuade them of anything. These six stories achieve some of your essential interpersonal goals right away, and lay the groundwork for you to achieve the others.

2. In the chapter called "What Stories Do That Facts Can't," Annette shows how your stories can de-escalate conflict, side-step traps laid for you, avoid the "because I said so" kind of arguments, broaden a discussion by grounding it in a wider reality, etc.

3. One of Annette's chapters takes up one of my least favorite questions: "How do I tell a good story?" Why do I dread being asked that question? Because it seems to pre-suppose that there is a recipe for telling stories that works in all situations. In her characteristic Aikido-like way, however, Annette directs her readers to follow solid, easy-to-use advice that doesn't lock them into a limited formula. She briefly and convincingly outlines nine key points to keep in mind - that will nearly guarantee good telling.

4. Annette's tone hits that "sweet spot" between the hype of so many pop business books, on the one hand, and the dense, soggy prose that deadens so many academic-type books on communication, business strategies, etc., on the other. She speaks to her reader with conversational ease - but without "selling" or oversimplifying.

5. Annette's book is filled with memorable, well-told stories. Some are brief enough to throw into a conversation; others could be the keystone of a speech. The story about the red and green shoes is now part of my permanent mental landscape, as are the burning piano and the silent door-to-door salesman. With few exceptions, Annette integrates the stories into her chapters, rather than separating them into self-contained boxes. She never says why; I'll bet, though, that it's because she believes that stories persuade best when they aren't self-consciously introduced as "stories," but when they flow out of your very being, your attitude toward your listeners, and your commitment to your message.

If you care at all about using storytelling in an organization, for persuasion, or to get across a personal message, you'd be foolish to pass up this book. Beginners in the use of story will be well guided; experts will find great new stories to tell as well as a clear, systematic exposition of how story works in practice - and, underlying it all, a refreshing, inspiring perspective about how humans actually persuade each other. This book is not only about influence; it has already become highly influential. Miss it at you own risk!

From the moment I started reading The Story Factor I was satisfied. Finally a book that explains why stories are such effective communication tools. As a trainer and communication consultant I was looking for the deep structure behind storytelling. It's all here: how stories move and motivate people, the six kinds of stories you need to tell, the psychology of influence and how a good story trumps the facts. The author includes her own stories and draws upon those from other cultures as well. Nearly every page is complete with examples and anecdotes you can take into the classroom or boardroom.

It's a practical book. For example, chapter seven deals with convincing the "unwilling, unconcerned or unmotivated." While there are no surefire remedies for every situation, Ms. Simmons provides a common-sense overview of resistance and some skillful ways to work with it. Even if you're not telling stories regularly the psychology lesson is valuable. True, this is not a paint-by-numbers book because good story telling is too subtle for simple how-to formulae. You learn the art of storytelling by telling lots of stories.

The Story Factor provides solid structural principles and the tips and ideas to stimulate creativity. Start telling stories and use the book as a guide. The style is fast and readable with catchy phrases and subheads. My copy is thoroughly underlined and annotated so I'll never be able to resell it! If you're interested in how to craft stories that sell, motivate, inspire and persuade you'll be glad you bought this book.

Having loved stories as a youngster (especially the Greek myths as related by my mother), I lost sight of the power of stories until I became a management consultant. I realized that the sales and education process both relied on simple, powerful stories rather than rational evidence. I again forgot about stories until I heard Howard Gardner talking about their primary significance for leaders. I then made a point to write all of my books by using as many complex, nuanced and persuasive stories as possible. Many people have praised me as a natural story teller, so I thought was done with the subject. Then, just last month, I heard Steve Denning talk about his experience in using stories to launch knowledge management at the World Bank. Oops! Here were new story ideas for me.

I ordered Denning's excellent book, The Leader's Guide to Storytelling . . . and decided to check out Amazon.com to see who else had written highly rated books on the subject. Annette Simmons' The Story Factor jumped out at me. When I examined both books, I realized that The Story Factor should be read first. It provides the overview that we all need on this subject as speakers and writers.

Ms. Simmons begins by describing six archetypal stories that we need to know how to tell: Who I Am; Why I Am Here; Vision; Teaching; Values-in-Action; and I Know What You're Thinking.

I was impressed to see these categories in print. As a consultant, I have been coaching leaders for over 30 years on how to fill in their repertoire of stories from categories that they usually ignore (especially, I Know What You're Thinking).

Having laid out that agenda, the rest of the chapters focus on "what" and "how to" elements:

What Is Story?

What Story Can Do that Facts Can't

How to Tell a Good Story

The Psychology of Story's Influence

Sound Bite or Epic?

Influencing the Unwilling, Unconcerned, or Unmotivated

Storylistening as a Tool of Influence

Storyteller Dos and Don'ts

The Life of a Storyteller

The book also contains a valuable bibliography that is worth the price of this volume.

Having read this book, I think I've finally gotten the point that I need to work on my stories . . . and not just every 15 years or so.

Give this book to those you love . . . and keep a copy for yourself!

I have a story to tell about rave reviews and a disappointing book. This book does not explain how to develop a story. It does not explain what makes a good story different from a bad one. It does not practice what it preaches. Filled with wish washy generalities it will be useful only to the most socially unaccomplished readers. There author constantly expounds the advantage of story over fact but hardly ever uses stories. The author devotes an entire chapter to psychology and does not even mention one (!) psychological theory. The author devotes several chapters to how to build a story and focuses on body language instead. If you wish to learn something about body language while telling a story, then perhaps this book is for you. Otherwise, save yourself the frustration.

I highly recommend Annette Simmons The Story Factor for a new and different look at the way we communicate. I especially found it useful in analyzing how people process information, and then applying that to how to reach people on difficult topics.
Storytelling is a fine art in the entertainment world, and there are many sources to hone your skills on this. But Annette has provided insights and practical tips that have been particularly useful for me using story-telling in the working world. There is nothing more painful than learning that your work or project is ending or not being used. With some of the strategies in this book, I have found ways to help people recognize and be satisfied with what they have done, and continue on to the next project with a shorter "grieving" cycle, so we can all become more productive again quickly. Also, I have found ways to use story to help build our work teams to quickly coalesce around the goal and tasks at hand, when we have incredibly tight deadlines and little time for the usual necessary "bonding" that a team needs to reach optimum productivity.
I highly recommend this book as both useful and an entertaining read at the same time.

Since I consider Power Point presentations a notch below prehistoric cave painting as an effective form of communication, I have sought out and read the best books that I could find on the art of storytelling as I am interested in its application in the field of management. The Story Factor is quite simply the best book I have read on the topic. Simmons doesn't bore the reader to death with theory but gives the specifics necessary to make this an essential "how to" book. I recommend it for any manager who wants to incorporate the use of dynamic story in his or her skill set.

I bought this book during a recent business trip to the US, hoping that it would "teach" a few tips on how to build your own personal stories, facts and so on.
To my disapointment the author does not do that. She goes on and on preaching the benefits of using stories, how wonderful they are, the impact they can have on peoples life and so on. But she never stops to discuss the structure of a good story, how to identify your own mistakes when constructing one and keep improving your own technics. SO if you are looking for a book that will tell you how important a stoty is and the situations it can be used, perhaps you will benefit from this work. If you are beyond that level, sorry this is not it.
To be honest, after reading all the positives reviews from other readers I was left with a simple question: Did I read the same book they have??

I had been interviewing with several other companies for about 5 months, called back for second rounds, but still not hired. Then a friend recommended Annette Simmon's book, The Story Factor, prior to my being interviewed for an executive position that interested me and represented the biggest promotion opportunity.

Preparing my own stories while reading the book prepared me for the interview better than any coaching I have ever had. By sharing the different types of stories that the author discusses, I found that I was not only more confident in my presentation, but that I was much more convincing and persuasive in impressing my interviewers. Reading the book helped me to remember my own stories. The people that met me that day learned in a very powerful and personal way who I was and what I was likely to bring to their company.

Telling your own stories well is essentially the backbone of performance based interviewing. I was ready. When invited back for a final round, I again relied on the types of stories that The Story Factor challenged me to develop.

I was happily hired and am very enthusiastic about the direction of my career today. The Story Factor continues to influence my work today in my development of generative relationships with my new coworkers.

As an aside, I noticed one reviewer on line that complained that the book did not deliver enough stories or enough direction for writing your own. Given how amazingly different my experience of the book was, I can only assume that this reader may need to try the book again when it comes out on tape-- the book that I read is packed with stories, is extremely engaging, and is above all very useful.

I have already highly recommend The Story Factor to others who are preparing important presentations or interviews, just as it was recommended to me.

It is as inspiring as it is practical.

A business must!

I am responsible for leadership development in the largest healthcare system in the country--the Veterans Healthcare Administration. As part of a rigorous two-year leadership development program for mid-management high potentials, we use this book to not only highlight the power of communicating through storytelling, but we give participants experience in finding, constructing and telling their own powerful stories by using the guidelines in the text.

We floundered in this part of our curriculum until we found The Story Factor, which combines the "why" and the "how" in a very easy-to-understand fashion. The frequent examples from the business world help to overcome the resistance of the physicians and other "reluctant yarn-spinners" in the room.

If you need a "how-to" on storytelling, this is your book. And if you appreciate listening to an author's unique voice as she speaks with passion, it's for you, too. Useful AND enjoyable!