Change in organizations is actually simple in many ways, yet we make things incredibly hard for ourselves. A great deal has been written about change in organizations, much of which overcomplicates things or strays into vacuous thought leadership style pondering. In part this is because it evokes anxiety in clients and makes it easier to sell them ''solutions''. Susanne''s book is different. It starts with a premise that might be best described as ''I think we might be overcomplicating things, folks, and here is what it would be useful to actually pay attention to''. Grounded in her experience as a change consultant working for large professional services firms, Susanne builds the case for how (re-)writing stories and narratives in organizations is at the heart of effective change. Crucially, she makes it clear that leaders need to build their capabilities in the area of storytelling and understand how change stands or falls on the tales people tell about their lived experiences - for good or ill. She is highlighting a key facet of the craft and practice of leading that is a million miles away from flashy, ''follow these steps'', ''wield this model'' approaches to change.

Recommended. - Steve Hearsum, Founder, EDGE+STRETCH, Author of No Silver Bullet: Bursting the Bubble of the Organisational Quick Fix The book is a story in itself - an easy and enjoyable read, providing the reader with the simple structure of the ARIAS model to follow, along with tips on how to build the learning into daily practice and links to supporting material. I really love the storymaking template and have used this across change programmes and projects - its simplicity translates change into a clear, compelling and aligned message that is easy to understand and engage with. It transforms change from the language of project to the language of people. The template is now an essential in my change toolkit. - Rachel Butler, Head of Change, Anglian Water Services UK, Change Awards Winner of Best Capability Builder This book is a fabulous read, a true wealth of resource, knowledge and wisdom that draws from Susanne''s experiences and research. It''s a true story in itself, bringing to life the power of stories to add value, interest and buy-in to any communication. For me, the difficulty is pulling out only one or two key themes, as I believe the entire book is important! The ARIAS Model and storytelling template are so on-point and user-friendly, I can''t wait to put these into practice.

Whilst reading the book, I was already thinking about what areas of my work I could start to utilise these tools and techniques with. Without people, successful change is impossible, and this book really teases out the importance of involving people whether they are senior leaders, change agents or employees on the ground. All stakeholders should be involved right from the start, and for those managing and leading the change, they must be able to win the hearts and minds of those impacted by the change. What also stuck with me was the authenticity of the storyteller and being your true self. There''s no point telling a story if no-one''s going to listen! I would highly recommend this book for those wanting to try a different approach to building engagement and reinforcing change. - Joscelyn Henry-Shaw, PPM Profession Change Manager, NHS England This is a very generous and appreciative piece of writing. Susanne writes as she works - in the deeply held belief that people in organizations can ''do'' change with limited external support. In this book, she gifts to readers the practical set of tools that she uses in her change work with organizations.

Susanne understands that we are meaning-making beings. With this in mind, she encourages us to notice the meaning we are making in the stories we tell and how we can use story to help others to do so. There are many refreshing aspects of this book, not least Susanne''s simple, practical and straight-talking language with her own stories. I read the book in 3 sittings - and having done so - can refer back when I need to to the many models and insights from her research of the literature, her practical experience with clients and her ChangeStories podcasts. I think Susanne hits the nail on the head when she writes about the need to pay attention to things as they are - with all our senses and ways of knowing, whilst giving heartfelt consideration to, ''what matters''. Most of all I enjoyed Susanne''s candour in telling her own change story (which I know well), though I think if I told it, it would have more superlatives about her strengths as a colleague and change agent! - Ann Knights, Professor of Practice in Coaching and Leadership, Hult International Business School, Co-author of Relational Team Coaching A very honest and approachable way to get immersed into the world of change. It feels like you''re getting advice from a friend all the way through, by someone giving you the inside scoop - I especially appreciated the practical questions and reflections throughout. If you''re new to change or even a seasoned practitioner, there are excellent references, advice and approaches here that can really have an impact on how we think and bring change to life in our organisations.

- Soraya Abdelmageed, Head of Change Management, Asahi Europe & International Read Susanne Evans'' book and like me, you''ll want to immediately put her insights and principles into practice. With clear, captivating prose, organizational examples, helpful models and references (for more information) to her highly successful ChangeStories Podcast, Dr Evans leads us through the process of creating meaningful organizational change through storytelling. And in the process, she shifts our perspective on creating change: it''s about the people not the process; change is messy and that''s ok; be sure to welcome the disruptors and, especially, lead with appreciation. This book will become required reading for everyone experiencing change in their organization. And in these times, that is pretty much everyone! - Susanna Liller, PCC, President and Founder, The School for Real-Life Heroines, Author of You Are a Heroine: A Retelling of the Hero''s Journey Is it possible to love a book? I haven''t in a long time read a book to the end, let alone read one that informed my practice. And then came ChangeStories, bringing me into the shared history of change that so many practitioners have to navigate. It instantly made my experiences feel seen. It made me switch off autopilot and dive into my own work and the stories in the changes around me.

Storytelling in its own right is a tale as old as time, but what Susanne does in this book transcends fables and fairytales, positioning storytelling as an imperative to your change, its outcomes and your people. It shows wonderfully that there is another way to lead change, and it all starts with a good story. So yes, it''s possible to love a book. - Susie Palmer-Trew, Founder, Everyday Change, Author of The Everyday Change Playbook I first met Susanne at the beginning of her PhD and it has been such a pleasure watching her bring stories to life for organizations. In her wonderful book, her generosity of spirit shines through as she shares tools and her ARIAS model for coaches and organizations alike to use time and time again when their stakeholders need it most. Reading ChangeStories made me so happy as people not profit are at the centre of all she recommends as well as deeper inquiry to truly understand those around you. Having been an MD of a family business, I remember how our story kept us together as a strong team and set us apart from our competitors, but I didn''t realise why until I read ChangeStories. I also learned first-hand as a coach and as an employee, what it feels like to be without the story during change, much like we felt during the uncertainty of Covid - vulnerable, unanchored, confused.

Susanne''s method and tools mean we can prevent this for future organizations. - Rebecca Mander, Executive Coach and Founder of GuruYou® I find people tend to fall into one of two camps when it comes to the potential value of stories in change. Either ''storytelling is all fluff, and "once upon a time" has no place in a serious business'', or ''great, if I polish my story according to a proven model and make it shiny, everyone will love me and change will just happen''. Mmmm. Both are stories, and both are untrue. This book isn''t about the idea of stories being an option in organizations. It reflects Susanne''s deep appreciation of how people and organizations are already full of stories, which compete for our attention and with each other, and which need to be surfaced, heard and woven together if there is to be any real progress on any change. You can tell yourself you don''t have time to read this book and reflect on your own use of stories.

But that would be a story. Choose your stories wisely. - Alan Arnett, Thinking Partner and Coach, The Exploration Habit Ltd In business, we often rely on PowerPoint presentations filled with facts and statistics. But let''s be honest, while you''re presenting, your audience is secretly planning their next coffee break. Even if you manage to persuade them, you''ve only convinced them intellectually. That''s not enough to get people moving. Stories, on the other hand, grab people by the heart and mind, making them truly want to act. Susanne Evans'' book is a powerful guide on how to use storytelling to drive change.

It will transform the way you inspire and lead. - Andrea Pacini, Head of Ideas on Stage UK, Author of Confident Presenter I very much enjoyed reading this book as I thought it not just gave the reader tools on how to manage and lead change, but it gave the reader a ''tell it how it is'' with managing change. Susanne shares stories and case studies of previous experienc.