Narrative Change

I started out thinking this was the best business book I have ever read. I was wrong. It's the best book I've ever read. Period. -- LoNita Sharp, global HR professional Hans Hansen has produced a brilliant, thought-provoking, and inspiring book on how narrative models can influence organizational change. Drawing on compelling institutional and organizational examples, the book scores highly for logic of argument and clarity of exposition. Rich in concepts, it offers a unique perspective on change management; every page has something fascinating and important to say. -- John Hassard, Alliance Manchester Business School Hansen shows us how narrative theory can be used for social change in a way that is both theoretically simple and eminently practical-an unusual combination in modern approaches to change. He does this by telling the story of how he inadvertently got involved with fighting the death penalty in Texas and the surprising success they had when they used these ideas. This is not only a must-read for anyone interested in social change, it is a great story that is nearly impossible to put down. -- Steven S. Taylor, professor of leadership and creativity and dean ad interim, Foisie Business School, Worcester Polytechnic Institute The way Hans has changed the death penalty in Texas has been miraculous! If his narrative change methods can work on that inexorable institution, they can work anywhere. If Hans says this is the way to change something, just do it! -- Sister Helen Prejean, author of <i>Dead Man Walking</i> This is a smart and eminently readable treatment of a novel approach to social, organizational, and personal change through the analysis and alteration of embedded-and often unrecognized-cultural narratives. Practical applications of Hans Hansen's thoughtful approach to narrative change are provided throughout the book highlighted by an impressive, first-hand account of how a small team of social justice advocates was able to change the way the death penalty operates in Texas. The writing is lively and enthusiastic, and carries readers along a storyline that rests on solid scholarship and considerable social science research. A must-read for those interested in the role our narratives play in maintaining or transforming the status quo. -- John Van Maanen, emeritus professor of organization studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and author of <i>Tales of the Field</i>