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Neil Bearden

Storytelling Advisor | xINSEAD Prof

Neil Bearden is an accomplished writer and storytelling expert, currently serving as the co-founder of Plot Wolf, a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations communicate effectively through storytelling. He has a rich academic background, having spent 15 years as a professor of Decision Sciences at INSEAD, where he taught courses on statistics, behavioral economics, and notably, developed an award-winning course on storytelling.15

Academic Background

  • PhD in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  • Postdoctoral research in neuroeconomics at Duke University.
  • Formerly an assistant research professor at the University of Arizona.14

Professional Experience

At INSEAD, Bearden was recognized for his teaching excellence, receiving multiple best professor awards. His research interests focus on human judgment and decision-making, particularly how uncertainty influences perception and behavior. He has published extensively in academic journals and contributed articles to prominent publications like Harvard Business Review and the Financial Times.46

Current Work

Since leaving academia in 2021, Bearden has focused on his role at Plot Wolf, where he assists clients in crafting memorable stories that resonate with their audiences. His expertise has benefited numerous high-profile companies including Amazon, Google, and McKinsey.26 In addition to his work at Plot Wolf, he is involved as an investor in various startups and serves as a mentor for early-stage ventures.15

Personal Philosophy

Bearden emphasizes the importance of authenticity in storytelling and believes that effective narratives can drive change within organizations. His approach combines insights from psychology with practical storytelling techniques to help leaders communicate their messages more effectively.36

Overall, Neil Bearden's blend of academic rigor and practical experience positions him as a leading figure in the field of storytelling for business.

Highlights

Neil Bearden: Crafting intentional stories - David Lancefield
Sep 4 · twitter

My seven year old loves this game for math. It requires the strategic use of addition, subtraction, mult, and div. Highly recommend as a good way to start #homeschooling day. https://t.co/ohWcAOVQPJ

My seven year old loves this game for math. It requires the strategic use of addition, subtraction,
Oct 5 · The Guardian
Using storytelling to achieve your business objectives - The Guardian
Oct 5 · The Guardian
Using storytelling to achieve your business objectives - The Guardian
J. Neil Bearden | INSEAD Publishing
Neil Bearden | INSEAD Knowledge
Neil Bearden | INSEAD Knowledge

Related Questions

What inspired Neil Bearden to transition from academia to storytelling?
How does Neil Bearden's background in Decision Science influence his storytelling approach?
What are some key takeaways from Neil Bearden's Storytelling course at INSEAD?
How does Plot Wolf help companies improve their storytelling skills?
What makes a story effective according to Neil Bearden?
Neil Bearden
Neil Bearden, photo 1
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Location

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States