Neurologists say that our brains are programmed much more for stories than for abstract ideas. Tales with a little drama are remembered far longer than any slide crammed with analytics.

Leadership defines what the future should look like, aligns people with that vision, and inspires them to make it happen despite the obstacles.

Never underestimate the power of a good story.

This is true even in organizations that are very focused on analysis and quantitative measurement, even among people who think of themselves as smart in an MBA sense. In highly successful change efforts, people find ways to help others see the problems or solutions in ways that influence emotions, not just thought.

We are always creating new tools and techniques to help people, but the fundamental framework is remarkably resilient, which means it must have something to do with the nature of organizations or human nature.

We learn best - and change - from hearing stories that strike a chord within us.

A leader needs enough understanding to fashion an intelligent strategy.