Making Stories: A Practical Guide for Organizational Leaders and Human Resource Specialists [Hardcover]

Terrence L. Gargiulo (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1567203817 | ISBN-13: 978-1567203813 | Publication Date: October 30, 2001

Not only do we communicate through stories, we also learn from them. Stories are efficient ways to store, retrieve, and convey information. They help us to understand business processes; create and modify corporate culture; manage change; facilitate the management of knowledge and its transfer. They also help develop, coach, and mentor others, improve training, and help us behave and interact with others in the organization "proactively." Story making and story telling are skills that can be learned, and Gargiulo shows you how to do it. Clearly written and focused pragmatically on getting organizational results, his book is an innovative and welcome addition to the field of organizational development and management. Gargiulo opens with a model of how stories are used and the effects they can have, and with vignettes and other examples, he identifies their common uses. Stories can facilitate the Human Resource function overall and Gargiulo provides trainers with specific story exercises and techniques to use in their day to day work. Stories can also be used to capture, analyze, and understand business processes. Gargiulo discusses the role of stories in the development of effective leadership, and how they can be used to create and manage corporate culture and to develop future executives. He then shows how stories help build rapport, teach, and help maintain relationships with employees in coaching and mentoring situations. Moving from the conceptual to the applied, Gargiulo presents a model of the "story mind," and closes with a series of exercises to help build a large reservoir of stories for use throughout the organization, in various settings for different purposes. Clearly written and focused pragmatically on getting organizational results, his book is an innovative and welcome addition to the field of organizational development and management.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“If you are an aficionado of stories, this book is an enjoyable and stimulating read and is a worthy addition to the bookshelf and to other books of the genre. If you still remain to be convinced, the text gives the reader many reasons to consider applying stories in pragmatic business sense. Whilst one or two of the stories are long and detailed in the telling, the majority enable the reader to view both themselves and the world of business from a unique perspective.”–Industrial and Commercial Training

“Stories save the day. It's time to put an end to boring and didactic, training presentations. Making Stories gives away the secret. Terrence Gargiulo takes us on an episodic journey to a place where stories rule and learning is easy and fun. Guided by this masterful text we are drawn into a space full of imagination, creativity, and continuous learning. This book practices what it preaches and you won't want to put it down. All the examples are thought provoking and engaging. Terrence has set a new standard by giving us a business book with great value and which is a sheer pleasure to read.”–Dennis Popiel Assistant Dean and Global Training Manager Information Systems and Services College General Motors University

“Everyone claims that stories are a great tool for leaders and managers, but finally there is a definitive guide to show why and how they work....A must read for any serious leader.”–Jim Noble Senior Vice President AOL Time Warner

“Put aside all the trendy business theories. Making Stories is a wake-up call and a revelation....This exciting, dynamic, and practical guide is worth many readings by CEO's, managers, and HR professionals alike.”–Alan B. Salisbury Former President of Learning Tree International

“Communicating and learning via stories may be more effective than any other mode....The brilliance of Making Stories is its validity of this basic premise, its application to daily business...and the fluid, comfortable style in which it is written.”–Michael H. Kean Vice President Public and Governmental Affairs CTB/McGraw-Hill

“This is a how-to book that sneaks up on you and--if you let it--unleashes the courage and creativity to truly connect with others.”–Paula Dickerman Vice President, Training Cambridge Savings Bank

About the Author

TERRENCE L. GARGIULO is a management consultant, organizational development specialist, and group process facilitator based in San Francisco, CA. He holds a Master of Management in Human Services from the Florence Heller School, Brandeis University, and is a recipient of Inc. Magazine's Marketing Master Award. Among his numerous clients, past and present, are General Motors, Merck, Arthur D. Little, Raytheon, Coca-Cola, and the National Association of Manufacturers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Quorum Books (October 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567203817
• ISBN-13: 978-1567203813
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,063,132 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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