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Annette Simmons

Expert in storytelling, dialogue, and facilitation

Annette Simmons is a business communications consultant, author, and expert in storytelling and group process facilitation based in Raleigh, North Carolina.1 She has been running her own consultancy, Group Process Consulting, since September 1997, where she focuses on teaching storytelling through keynotes and workshops.1

Professional Background

Simmons has extensive experience in:

  • Delivering keynotes and workshops on storytelling
  • Designing learning models related to storytelling and communication
  • Researching the application of behavioral economics, psychology, neuroscience, and social psychology to various forms of communication1

Education and Early Career

  • B.S. in Marketing/Business from LSU (1979-1983)
  • M.S. in Training and Development from NC State (1992-1994)
  • Worked at JWT as an Account Executive (1988-1991)
  • Conducted export marketing research at Ericsson (1985-1988)1

Published Works

Annette Simmons is the author of several books on storytelling and business communication:

  • "Drinking from a Different Well: How Women's Stories Change What Power Means in Action" (2021)
  • "The Story Factor" (3rd edition, 2019) - named one of The 100 Best Business Books of All Time
  • "Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins" (2008)
  • "A Safe Place for Dangerous Truth" (1998)
  • "Territorial Games: Understanding and Ending Turf Wars at Work" (1997)12

Philosophy and Approach

Simmons believes that storytelling is a powerful tool for business success and effective communication. She emphasizes that "Story is the DNA of all meaning" and that "Trust is a dance that starts when we share our stories".2 Her work focuses on teaching individuals and organizations how to use storytelling to enhance collaboration, communication, and leadership.

Highlights

Aug 9 · linkedin

https://lnkd.in/egC2Gs8f

Interesting. I’m not sure easier is better when it comes to tending to human relationships. Grief and other hard times build tolerance, patience and resilience. Skills in short supply. I hear kids don’t play baseball anymore because they are used to “game over/restart” instead of viscerally learning good sportsmanship when they lose a game. I am particularly concerned at how tech diverts us from building up skills of the imagination. When imaginations are consistently underutilized it leaves people with a low capacity for imagination when they need it. And there are other kinds of opportunity costs. Do I now spend time to have deeper conversations with my mom or do I spend time documenting her? At a funeral the telling of stories is a healing communal ritual. How might having a versona at the funeral impact the healthy exchange of memories? How many creative minds work to create fake people when they’d learn/ help more by interacting real people? Not easier certainly, but more likely to build collaborative behavioral norms.

I am reminded how engineers try to create a perfect system by eliminating the opportunity for human error. It eliminates human intelligence too. They sidestep the tougher job of creating human consensus, self awareness, and collegiality. Skills atrophy when not used. Skills we really need to cultivate.

Aug 2 · linkedin

Not just fish! Better together.

https://lnkd.in/eSS848W2

Related Questions

What are the six kinds of stories Annette Simmons talks about?
How does storytelling improve business communication according to Annette Simmons?
What is the main focus of Annette Simmons' latest book?
Can you provide examples of how Annette Simmons uses storytelling in her workshops?
What are the key takeaways from Annette Simmons' book "The Story Factor"?
Annette Simmons
Annette Simmons, photo 1
Annette Simmons, photo 2
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Experience

Storytelling, Dialogue, Facilitation at Group Process Consulting (September 1997 - Present)
Teacher at Group Process Consulting (January 1997 - Present)

Education

M.S. in Training and Development from NC State (1992 - 1994); B.S. in Marketing/Business from LSU (1979 - 1983)

Location

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States