Storytelling for Business: The TRUTH About What It Means to Be Human And The Secret to INFLUENCE with Legend Will Storr

Storytelling for Business: The TRUTH About What It Means to Be Human And The Secret to INFLUENCE with Legend Will Storr

Author: Howie Chan, Influence Strategist @ The Behavioring Company March 4, 2025 Duration: 50:37
How Can I help you? In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Will Storr,  an award-winning journalist and best-selling author of multiple books on storytelling and the human condition. They delve into what it means to be human and why we do what we do so that we can use this knowledge to better influence human behavior and leverage storytelling for business success. The discussion emphasizes that we are a story and we all live in a story world. Will provides valuable insights into what motivates people within their own stories and the status games they play, and the core principles that can be used to effectively persuade and influence others. He also highlights some do’s and don’ts of stories, so you don’t put disastrous stories out there. Episode Breakdown: 02:40 We are a story 04:58 How our brains are fooling us 07:09 Religion is not good or bad 10:13 Persuade and influence people with these two types of stories 14:52 When persuasive storytelling gets out of hand 16:52 Why people join and stay in cults  20:48 Storytelling principles to help you get everyone behind change 26:48 Cautionary tales of companies’ stories gone wrong 30:26 Company dynamics that can lead to disastrous stories 32:29  The power of storytelling and story being 34:43 How to be a better leader 36:21 Understanding and leveraging our stories for healthier lives 38:45 Ways to bring people back from extreme entrenched beliefs 41:09 The devastating effects on your identity of being laid off 45:52  What you must do for effective storytelling 47:44 A letter to Will’s younger self From Our Guest: Website LinkedIn  X Instagram  Get the book, A Story is a Deal. For Will’s other books, go here. Want to go from unknown to legendary in 44 simple steps? Get your FREE copy of my Personal Brand Checklist. Legendary Quotes: “ Human beings are unique in that we experience reality as a story. The brain remixes the world around us and turns it into this unfolding narrative. It puts us in the middle of it. It coats our entire world in this kind of moral  paintwork.” – Will Storr “We all need a story to believe in. We all need a status game to play. We all need a kind of a heroic ideal to strive towards and that striving is the meaning of our life.” – Will Storr Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Howie Chan hosts Influence Anyone, a conversation that digs into the practical mechanics of persuasion and personal change. Rather than abstract theory, this podcast focuses on applied influence psychology, translating research and real-world experience into actionable strategies. Episodes feature dialogues with leading experts and practitioners, dissecting the subtle psychological forces that shape both internal motivation and external agreement. You’ll hear discussions on mastering your own mindset and habits alongside concrete methods for branding, storytelling, and negotiation. The aim is to move from insight to implementation, turning behavioral science into reliable playbooks for leadership and persuasion. Covering intersections of science, business, marketing, and social dynamics, the podcast provides a nuanced look at how influence operates in various arenas of life. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the principles that drive decision-making, equipping them to navigate professional challenges and personal goals with greater clarity. The tone is exploratory and detailed, prioritizing depth over quick fixes. By examining the hidden architecture of influence, Howie Chan creates a resource for anyone looking to understand the why behind effective action and communication. This is a place where academic findings meet street-level practice, all dedicated to creating more meaningful and effective outcomes.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 77

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