Tales for Change: Using Storytelling to Develop People and Organizations

A book of tales must rise or fall on the quality of the stories it presents. And in that regard, this storybook earns a mixed report card. Most of the stories are clear and pithy, although some hint at change without being directly related to it. A case in point is "The Old Man and his Grandson," a brief moral tale about the need to demonstrate empathy and the fact that everyone grows older. Other stories, however, are perfectly apropos and even come with a hint of humor to prod listeners to accept change. Unnervingly, some of the less engaging stories come from author Margaret Parkin's personal experiences. On the other hand, her informative introduction makes a compelling case for the power of narrative in introducing and abetting transformation. She supplies excellent questions for further study after each story to keep the discussion on point. Overall, we recommend this book to those who would like to add a few new anecdotes to their quiver. If just one helps spur your organization be more flexible, that will be a success story worth telling.