The book introduces the concept of narrative intelligence--an ability to understand and act and react agilely in the quicksilver world of interacting narratives. It shows why this is key to the central task of leadership, what its dimensions are, and how you can measure it. The book's lucid explanations, vivid examples and practical tips are essential reading for CEOs, managers, change agents, marketers, salespersons, brand managers, politicians, teachers, parents--anyone who is setting out to the change the world.

The Author

Stephen Denning is senior fellow at the James MacGregor Burns Leadership Academy at the University of Maryland and the author of The Leader's Guide to Storytelling and Squirrel Inc. from Jossey-Bass. He is former program director, knowledge management, at the World Bank. In 2003 he was named as one of the world's Top Two Hundred Business Gurus. His articles have appeared in leading business publications such as Harvard Business Review and Strategy & Leadership.

There is something very special about The Secret Language of Leadership. A lot of authors write about storytelling and other methods of leadership communication. What sets Steve Denning apart is his authenticity. He is one of the rare few who write about it from intensely personal experience. This book offers a genuinely refreshing perspective and an uncommon insight into the narrative life of leadership.

Jim Kouzes, coauthor of the best-selling The Leadership Challenge and A Leader's Legacy

The Secret Language of Leadership has been instrumental in helping me overcome the challenges of rapid growth and intense competition. It's all about the story.

Reed Hastings, CEO, Netflix Inc.

How do leaders connect and engage with their audiences? In this sequel to The Leader's Guide to Storytelling, business narrative expert Steve Denning explains why traditional approaches to leadership communication don't work and reveals the hidden patterns that effective leaders use to spark change. The book shows how anyone can inspire enduring enthusiasm for a cause, even in skeptical, cynical, or even hostile audiences.

The book introduces the concept of narrative intelligencean ability to understand and act and react agilely in the quicksilver world of interacting narratives. It shows why this ability is key to the central task of leadership, what its dimensions are, and how you can measure it.

The book's lucid explanations, vivid examples, and practical tips are essential reading for CEOs, managers, change agents, marketers, salespersons, brand managers, politicians, teachers, parentsanyone who is setting out to the change the world.

Preface: My Leadership Journey vii

Part One: What Is Transformational Leadership? 1

Introduction: Ten Mistakes Transformational Leaders Make 3

1 The Secret Language of Leadership 21

Part Two: The Language of Leadership: Key Enablers 51

2 Articulating a Clear, Inspiring Goal 53

3 The Leader's Own Story: Committing to the Goal 65

4 Mastering the Audience's Story 80

5 Cultivating Narrative Intelligence 92

6 Telling Truthful Stories 116

7 Leadership Presence: The Body Language of Leadership 132

Part Three: The Language of Leadership: Key Steps 147

8 Getting People's Attention 149

9 Stimulating Desire 166

10 Reinforcing with Reasons 187

11 Continuing the Conversation 199

12 Epilogue 211

Appendix 1: Presentation to the Change Management Committee of the World Bank: April 1996 221

Appendix 2: Templates and Exercises 229

Appendix 3: What's Your Narrative Intelligence? 235

Notes 245

Acknowledgments 265

About the Author 267

Index 269