The spiritual literature of Planet Earth is full of stories that track the trials and tribulations of earnest souls on the path of God. Like Jonah in the belly of the whale, for example. And Moses in the desert. And Jesus on the Cross. Every culture has their own, just like they have their own creation myths. Indeed, the heroes and heroines of these soul-shaping stories have, in time, become a kind of code for the hard-to-describe qualities that define what it means to be a highly resilient human being.

Good. We need stories. We need memorable examples of what's possible.

What we don't, need, however is the assumption that the stories that have made it to the scriptures are the only ones worth remembering. They're not. Each of us, in our own way, has had similar experiences -- modern-day versions of the archetypal challenges that stretch a human being to the point of breaking. Like the time, as a cross-country hitchhiker in Toledo, Ohio, I stood on the on ramp to I-70 for ten hours without a ride. No matter what I did or didn't do, no matter how much I prayed, meditated, or surrendered, where I stood, how I stood, or what sudden deals I made with God, no one would pick me up. No one...

To be continued... excerpted from my forthcoming book, Storytelling for the Revolution.

MitchDitkoff.com

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 01:44 PM | Comments (0)

Going to be in San Miguel de Allende this summer -- especially July 20th and August 15th? Good. Then come to either or both of my Wisdom Circles -- transformational storytelling for people who know that great wisdom abides in the heart and soul of everyone. Click here for the details.

My book on storytelling
My website
Unspoken Word

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 06:48 PM | Comments (0)

Hot off the press!

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:57 PM | Comments (0)

A lot of insight, wisdom, and thoughtfulness in this presentation. A good primer for anyone wanting to use storytelling wisely in their company (or in the company of others).

MitchDitkoff.com
Silver Medal Winner: Axiom Business Books Awards
Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:12 PM | Comments (0)

A well-written article, from Inside HR, on the power of storytelling in organizations. A 3-minute read.

One size does not fit all
MitchDitkoff.com
My storytelling workshop

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)

If you are looking for a simple way to leverage the power of storytelling in your organization, but haven't found an "off the shelf" solution, I know why: it doesn't exist. And WHY it doesn't exist is because your organization's needs are unique. One size fits all does not fit all. That's why Idea Champions' storytelling workshops are all customized. We mix and match from a broad selection of modules to create the perfect fit for you. All we need to know is what topics you'd like to see us address and in what ratio. Simple. And we don't charge for customization.

THE MODULES
-- Building a business case for the benefits of storytelling
-- Improving listening and feedback skills
-- Activating the innovation mindset
-- Sharing in-house best practices
-- Communicating tacit knowledge (i.e. insight and wisdom)
-- Going beyond your organization's old story
-- Generating new ideas and solutions
-- Increasing trust and teamwork
-- Improving idea selling skills
-- Inspiring action and meaningful follow through
-- Fostering a culture of storytelling in the workplace

TWO EXAMPLES:
Creating the Innovation Mindset
Storytelling at Work

OTHER RESOURCES FOR YOU
We wrote the book
We also wrote the blog
The workshop is taught by this gent

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:46 PM | Comments (0)

Some good stuff in this one about the structural elements of good storytelling.

Silver medal winner of the Axiom Book Awards
MitchDitkoff.com

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 10:36 PM | Comments (0)

Storytelling in Business
Share tacit knowledge at work
WORKSHOP: How storytelling can spark the innovation mindset

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 01:05 PM | Comments (0)

A two-year analysis of 108 Super Bowl commercials has revealed that it was the structure of the content -- not the content itself -- that was the biggest predictor of its success. And the structure that was most linked to Superbowl ad success? Stories. This Harvard Business Review article elaborates on why storytelling is such a powerful communication tool.

Storytelling at Work
Awesome quotes on storytelling
MitchDitkoff.com

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 08:21 AM | Comments (0)