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“We all love hearing a great story, but surprisingly few of us know how to tell one. Karen Eber is one of those few, and in this book, she shares her secrets. Come for the engrossing content, and stay for the lessons that might just change how you talk, write, and lead.”
—Adam Grant
“Karen Eber has combined theory and practice to provide us the ultimate toolbox for narrative excellence. If you’re trying to communicate with greater intention and effectiveness, this book is for you.”
—Daniel H. Pink
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“We all love hearing a great story, but surprisingly few of us know how to tell one. Karen Eber is one of those few, and in this book, she shares her secrets. Come for the engrossing content, and stay for the lessons that might just change how you talk, write, and lead.”
— Adam Grant
“Karen Eber has combined theory and practice to provide us the ultimate toolbox for narrative excellence. If you’re trying to communicate with greater intention and effectiveness, this book is for you.”
- Daniel H. Pink
The Perfect Story
How to Tell Stories that Inform, Influence, and Inspire
How to find and tell a story for any occasion.
Available in hardcopy, eBook and audiobook formats everywhere books are sold. Translated versions are available in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Translated versions will be available in Thailand shortly.
If you’ve ever thought...
...this book is for you.
Available Everywhere Books Are Sold
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About the Book
The Perfect Story evolves the conversation on storytelling. It explains how to leverage the science of storytelling to create an engaging, memorable story. Without relying on complicated models or one-size-fits-all prescriptions, Karen Eber makes storytelling accessible with practical and impactful steps for anyone to find and tell the best story for any occasion.
Whether you are leading a team, giving a presentation, hosting a podcast, selling a product or service, interviewing for a job, or giving a toast at a wedding, The Perfect Story will help you take your stories and make them perfect.
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Learn more about The Perfect Story in the book trailer below.
Leverage the Five Factory Settings of the Brain to hack the art of storytelling.
Build a toolkit of endless story ideas.
Craft and deliver stories tailored to your audience without complicated models or one-size-fits-all prescriptions.
Navigate when to tell a personal story.
Engage senses and emotions.
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Learn How To
Tell stories with data.
Share stories in job interviews, toasts, and eulogies.
Avoid common storytelling mistakes.
Use your body to tell dynamic stories.
Ensure your story doesn’t manipulate.
Navigate and embrace the vulnerability of storytelling.
About the Author
Karen Eber is an award-winning author, international leadership consultant, professional storyteller and keynote speaker who has educated and inspired over three million people globally. Her talk on TED.com: How your brain responds to stories – and why they’re crucial for leaders, continues to inspire millions. As the CEO and Chief Storyteller of Eber Leadership Group, Karen helps companies build leaders, teams, and culture, one story at a time.
Karen’s book, The Perfect Story, has been named an Axiom Business Book Award Silver Medalist, International Book Award Winner for Business Motivational, Goody Business Book Award Winner for Marketing and Communications and Self Help, and was named a Next Big Ideas Club "Must read.”
Karen works with Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Microsoft, Kraft Heinz, Facebook, Kate Spade, and Big 4 Consulting Companies. She guest lectures in universities including London Business School, Stanford, and MIT, and is a frequent contributor and is featured in publications like Fast Company, Quartz, Business Insider, Forbes, Inc, Entrepreneur and The NY Post.
With 20 years of experience, Karen has previously been a Head of Culture and Chief Learning Officer at General Electric, and Head of Leadership Development at Deloitte. She is a four-time Association for Talent Development winner and lives in Atlanta, GA.
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Whether you are leading a team, giving a presentation, selling a product or service, interviewing for a job, or giving a toast at a wedding,
The Perfect Story will show how to make your stories perfect.
Interview Vignettes
Interview vignettes are included at the end of chapters to share the experiences of people who tell stories in vastly different settings. These interviews include what each person might share if you sat next to them at a dinner party.
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Michelle Satter
Sundance Institute Founding Senior Director, Artist Programs
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Sarah Austin Jenness
Executive Producer at The Moth, Bestselling Author
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Manoush Zomorodi
Host of TED Radio Hour Podcast, NPR
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Will Csaklos
Screenwriter and Story Consultant
Former Senior Creative Executive & Story Consultant, Pixar Animation Studios
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Gary Ware
Improv Comedian, Author, and Workshop Facilitator
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Stephanie Stuckey
CEO of Stuckey’s Corporation
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Paul Zak, Ph.D.
Neuroscientist, Founder of Immersion Neuroscience, and Professor at Claremont Graduate University
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Drew Dudley
Keynote and TED Speaker: “Everyday Leadership” Bestselling Author
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Dr. Anthony Williams
Physician, Assistant Director of Center for the Art of Medicine, University of Minnesota
Associate Program Director, Med-Peds Residency Program, Health Partners Med-Peds Hospitalist
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Peggy Fogelman
Norma Jean Calderwood Director, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
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Bofta Yimam
Emmy & Edward R. Murrow Award-Winning Television Correspondent, International Speaker and Entrepreneur
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Colby Webb
Executive Global Business Leader, former Chief Marketing Officer
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Evan Skolnick
Video Game Writer and Narrative Designer
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Serena Huang, Ph.D.
Global Head of People Analytics, former Head of People Analytics at PayPal, Kraft Heinz, GE Aviation
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John Cushing
Anything but Footy Audio and Podcast Presenter and Producer, Former Head of News Operations for Global
Praise for The Perfect Story
“Whether CEO of a company, leader of a team, creator of promotional materials, or simply someone who enjoys hanging out with friends, anyone can benefit from becoming a better storyteller. This delightful book masterfully explains how. Supported by research and packed with engaging stories (of course!), ‘THE PERFECT STORY’ should be at the top of your reading list this year.”
— Amy C. Edmondson, Ph.D.
Professor of Leadership & Management, Harvard Business School; Author, Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well
“Karen Eber has combined theory and practice to provide us the ultimate toolbox for narrative excellence. If you’re trying to communicate with greater intention and effectiveness, this book is for you.”
— Daniel H. Pink
#1 New York Times bestselling author of THE POWER OF REGRET, A WHOLE NEW MIND, and DRIVE
“We all love hearing a great story, but surprisingly few of us know how to tell one. Karen Eber is one of those few, and in this book, she shares her secrets. Come for the engrossing content, and stay for the lessons that might just change how you talk, write, and lead.”
— Adam Grant
#1 New York Times bestselling author of THINK AGAIN and HIDDEN POTENTIAL, and host of the TED podcast Re:Thinking
“Through real-world examples and practical steps, ‘THE PERFECT STORY’ shows you how to develop a compelling story, tailor it to your audience and deliver it with authenticity and impact. Whether you are looking to inspire your team, expand thinking, or build empathy and trust, this book will guide you through telling great stories.”
— Frances Frei, Ph. D.
Professor: Harvard Business School; Author of Unleashed
“The heart of great stories and communications is purpose and precision. ‘THE PERFECT STORY’ demonstrates how to develop engaging stories for each audience. Karen masterfully weaves in stories that draw you in while offering readers practical steps and tools. If you are looking to be a more memorable and effective communicator, ‘THE PERFECT STORY’ is for you.”
— Dorie Clark
Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty —Duke University Fuqua School of Business
“‘THE PERFECT STORY’ is an indispensable resource for professionals in leadership and business seeking to master the art of storytelling. The book's comprehensive approach provides readers with the tools to create inspiring visions and missions for their companies, deliver captivating speeches, and build beloved brands. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to master the art of storytelling and take their leadership and business skills to the next level.”
— Marshall Goldsmith
Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach, New York Times best-selling author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
“‘THE PERFECT STORY’ is the perfect book for both novice and seasoned storytellers who need to improve the impact of their creations. Using the latest science, concrete examples, and checklists, ‘THE PERFECT STORY’ will immediately improve what we all do to influence others--tell stories.”
— Paul J. Zak, Ph.D.
Author of Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and the Source of Happiness
“Storytelling is at the heart of every company, project, and meaningful connection. Great stories unite, inspire, and even challenge thinking. Karen Eber shares the steps for building the perfect story for each audience. ‘THE PERFECT STORY’ will change the way you think about stories and will become a trusted resource you reach for frequently.”
— Randi Zuckerberg
New York Times bestselling author of Dot Complicated and Pick Three, CEO of Hug and Zuckerberg Media
Frequently Asked Questions About The Perfect Story
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While THE PERFECT STORY is often used by business leaders to lead teams and present data, it's written for anyone who wants to tell a better story — including job interviews, wedding toasts, eulogies, podcasts, and everyday conversations. The book's own framing is “for any occasion,” not just the workplace.
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Readers learn to leverage the Five Factory Settings of the Brain, build a toolkit of story ideas, define an audience, apply a memorable story structure, engage senses and emotions, tell stories with data, avoid common storytelling mistakes, use body language dynamically, avoid manipulative storytelling, and navigate the vulnerability of sharing a personal story.
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THE PERFECT STORY includes interview vignettes from storytellers across fields, including Michelle Satter — Sundance Institute co-founder, Sarah Austin Jenness —executive producer of The Moth, Will Csaklos — former creative director at Pixar, Manoush Zomorodi — the host of TED Radio Hour, among others.
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The audiobook is available on Audible and Libro.fm. The Perfect Story is narrated by Karen Eber herself.
It is also available in hardcopy and eBook formats.
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THE PERFECT STORY is a Silver Medalist in the Axiom Business Book Awards (Advertising, Marketing, PR), a Winner in the International Book Awards (Business Motivational), a two-category Winner in the Goody Business Book Awards (Marketing and Communications, and Self-Help), and a Next Big Ideas Club “must-read” selection.
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The book is written to be accessible without relying on complicated models or one-size-fits-all prescriptions — it's designed for anyone who wants practical, usable steps to tell a better story, regardless of experience level.
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It has been translated into Japanese, Korean, and Traditional Chinese (for Taiwan), with a Thai translation forthcoming.
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THE PERFECT STORY begins with the science of storytelling and what helps people remember, decide and act. It then breaks down how to tell a compelling story. Then it walks through the steps for how to apply those principles to telling stories with data.
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Readers love that it is grounded in science and makes storytelling accessible by breaking it into actionable steps. Many mention that it is an easy read with helpful examples and stories from all aspects of life. Readers also love the checklists at the end of the book that serve as a reminder and quick reference when building stories.
Available Everywhere Books Are Sold
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