Bookshelf
Margaret ParkinKogan PageLondon2004168 pp.ISBN:0749441062£18.99 (paperback)
Good stories engage and captivate listeners and this excellent book shows how to use stories creatively within a change management context. It provides a treasure trove of fifty ready made stories which can be used by trainers,managers and coaches engaged in the process of facilitating change in organisations.
Written by Margaret Parkin, a skilled and enthusiastic story teller, this adds to her previous titles of Tales for Trainers and Tales for Coaching. As founder of the company Training Options, Margaret has many years of experience in working with organisations to deliver innovative training solutions. She holds a Master’s degree in Training and Development and has a Master Practitioner qualification in Neurolinguistic Programming.
The book has five chapters, each containing stories related to a different aspect of change; dealing with change, being creative, leaders and teams,dealing with stress and emotional intelligence. Each begins with a discussion of how the use of stories can help in that particular situation. The basic structure of stories or the “story map” and the way this might translate into an organisational situation is particularly well explained. The introductory discussion is followed by individual short stories which each contain a “moral”. In addition each story has an accompanying matrix of trigger questions that the story teller can use to stimulate discussion and reflection amongst the listeners. There is also space within each matrix for listeners’ comments and thoughts and this will be useful if the page is copied and handed out to listeners. Alternatively the trigger questions can simply be used as a guide to facilitate group discussion.
For readers who want to find out more about the use of storytelling there is also the opportunity to receive a free monthly newsletter. An interesting addition would have been a chapter to help readers begin to work on developing their own stories.
This book captured my interest and made me recognise that the concept of storytelling could really add to my “toolkit” as an educator and developer. More importantly the ready to use stories mean that I do not have to create my own stories but can begin to experiment straight away.
The reader is likely to be convinced that story telling can provide a powerful and enjoyable process to encourage reflection and learning. The book is a very practical resource to any trainer or developer working with individuals or groups who wants to add a creative element to their work in facilitating change.
Lynda Gatecliffe
