Managing by Storying Around: A New Method of Leadership

Managing by Storying Around presents a leadership approach centered on the use of storytelling in business management. Armstrong draws from his experience as CEO of Armstrong International to demonstrate how narrative communication can drive organizational change and employee engagement. The book outlines specific techniques for collecting, crafting, and sharing stories that reinforce company values and desired behaviors. Through case studies from Armstrong's company, readers learn the mechanics of implementing a story-based management system across different organizational levels. The text includes practical tools for identifying effective stories, guidelines for delivery, and methods for measuring impact in business settings. Armstrong provides a framework for integrating storytelling into regular management practices like training, problem-solving, and strategic planning. This management guide challenges traditional approaches to corporate communication by positioning narrative as a fundamental leadership skill rather than a supplementary tool. The book's core message connects ancient storytelling traditions with modern business needs.

Readers found the book provides a practical approach to using storytelling for management and organizational change. Most reviews note how Armstrong demonstrates his methods through real examples from his company. What readers liked: - Clear writing style and easy to implement ideas - Specific stories that illustrate leadership concepts - Focus on practical application over theory - Short length and quick read What readers disliked: - Some found the stories repetitive - Limited scope beyond manufacturing settings - Dated examples from the 1980s-90s - Too basic for experienced managers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Changed how I communicate with my team" - Amazon reviewer "The concepts work but the manufacturing focus limits its relevance" - Goodreads reviewer "Would be better as a long article rather than a book" - Management Books reviewer

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📚 David Armstrong developed his storytelling management approach while leading Armstrong International, a 350-employee manufacturing company, increasing its revenue from $25 million to over $100 million during his tenure. 🗣️ The term "MBSA" (Managing By Storying Around) was created as a deliberate contrast to "MBWA" (Management By Walking Around), popularized by Tom Peters in the 1980s. 📖 Armstrong collected over 8,000 stories during his career and used them repeatedly to communicate company values, expectations, and procedures to employees at all levels. 🌟 The book argues that stories are remembered up to 7 times better than facts alone, making storytelling one of the most effective tools for organizational learning. 🔄 Each story in the book follows a specific format: a title, the story itself, and "the moral" - making them easy to remember and share throughout an organization.