This leading compendium on strategic storytelling spotlights more than 80 major organizations around the world using narratives as part of their strategic management vocabulary. Michael Margolis of THIRSTY-FISH is a contributing author to this book, having written a chapter on “Story in Difficult Times”, featuring lessons learned from senior leaders at CityYear, OneVillage Foundation, NASA, New Zealand Telecom, and Saatchi & Saatchi.

Martin Lindstrom, author of numerous books (including “BrandSense”) blends neuroscience and pop marketing in his latest book “Buy-o-logy”. Grounded in neuroscience and a four-year brain scan study that Lindsrom commissioned, he discusses what our brains tell us about our relationship to brands. No surprise here - our relationship to brands is deeply rooted in the story. Among his cognitive insights, he explains that certain brands have an equal weight to us as religion! Another highlight: Cigarette warning labels actually encourage smokers to smoke more. This book is filled with provocative insights towards the brand storytelling process.

Rob Walker takes us on a pop anthropology journal into the profound relationship between brands and identity. As the NY Times Magazine “Consumed” columnist for several years, Walker has mined the fringes and mainstream of our culture to highlight the complex web and personal narratives that we weave in relationship to brands. Filled with interesting examples and memorable stories, you will never think about cultural trends same way again.

This seminal 2006 book by the Heath brothers takes off where Gladwell’s The Tipping Point and Blink finished. In this breeze of a read, you’ll learn through a range of anecdotes, examples, and research studies why some ideas are stickier than others.

The second book in a powerful series written by the Worldwide CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi. One of my personal business heroes, Kevin Roberts articulates a powerful vision and frameworks for thinking about the future beyond brands - and the difference between the brands we love versus the brands we respect. In this edition which reads like an inspired coffee-table book, Roberts interviews dozens of C-level execs from the world’s greatest brands, and has them opine on their brand as a lovemark. Highly thought-provoking!!!

Considered the Bible of Hollywood Screenwriters, this book reads like gospel - breaking down the precise principles and anatomy of a good story, highlighted through lessons of the silver screen. If you are looking to hone your narrative chops, this is an essential read.

A recent follow-up to Simmons’ acclaimed The Story Factor, this book articulates several essential story forms and personal stories that every business leader should learn how to tell for themselves. If you are looking to uncover the hidden story gems from your life, this is a great place to start.

Written by the Scandinavian consulting firm SIGMA, this book offers some useful frameworks and dozens of examples related to brand storytelling. Their Brand Hero framework is one concept that I use with clients often.

Published by the market research and innovation firm Cheskin, this book describes a typology of fifteen universal forms of meaningful experiences, and then shows examples of how each type shows up across the spectrum of consumer experiences. If you are looking to develop a customer experience model for your organization, this is a must read!

This business school classic and best seller from 2005 is a worthy read. Its concept is simple. Don’t try to compete in an existing market - instead create uncontested market space. In other words, think like a market-maker and figure out where the latent needs and opportunities exist, even in the most cluttered and established industries.

This recent release by two Hollywood insiders - an accomplished screenwriter and a Zen Buddhist acting coach - is a great addition to the relm of organizational storytelling. The book builds off of Dickman’s Five element approach to storytelling: using the elements of fire, air, water, earth, and ether to serve as universal metaphors in the design of powerful stories. This is not a new age book, but rather speaks to the human condition, and is written with the reader’s solid business goals in mind.

The latest from organizational storytelling pioneer Denning is due to be released in October. The former head of knowledge management at the World Bank, continues to expand on his thinking and writings with a well-rounded book on the role of narrative in the leadership process. Denning is probably already on your bookshelf with his past books: the Springboard, Squirrel Inc., and the Leaders Guide to Storytelling.

Originally published more than 10 years ago, this classic by Schank is rooted in organizational learning and cognitive psychology. This social science take on the power of storytelling is often referenced as a pioneering work in the field of organizational development.

Hanlon, a former advertising executive turns to anthropology for his anatomy of what makes a iconic, cultural brand. His recommendations include: craft a founding story, develop a clear ethos, invent your own language, and create rituals that bring your brand story to life. The book is inspiring, especially to anyone who revels in the many brands of popular culture.