The Positives—and Perils—of Storytelling

HBR IdeaCast

• Episode: The Positives—and Perils—of Storytelling
• Website: HBR IdeaCast
• Feed URL: http://feeds.harvardbusiness.org/harvardbusiness/ideacast
• Duration: 00:25:55
• Published: 2022-02-08 15:00

Jonathan Gottschall, a distinguished fellow at Washington & Jefferson College, has researched storytelling and its unique power to inspire. But as he spoke at business conferences and grew aware of the popularity of storytelling in the corporate world, he came to realize just how much stories can also manipulate and destroy. From addressing climate change to the Theranos scandal, he explains the ins and outs of stories and argues for establishing a culture of honest storytelling in business. Gottschall is the author of the book "The Story Paradox: How Our Love of Storytelling Builds Societies and Tears them Down".