ChangeStories – The Book

Change in organisations is actually simple in many ways, yet we make things incredibly hard for ourselves. A great deal has been written about change in organisations, much of which over complicates 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 over complicating 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 organisations 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 understanding 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.

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!

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!

I first met Susanne at the beginning of her PhD and it has been such a pleasure watching her bring stories to life for organisations. In her wonderful book, her generosity of spirit shines through as she shares tools and her ARIAS model for coaches and organisations 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 organisations.

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. 

Storytelling has been a fundamental part of human history, and this incredibly practical book will help you harness its power to engage your audiences and unravel the mysteries of change. Susanne talks to you through the pages with practical and engaging insights, tools, and techniques, signposting useful models and her own podcast episodes to allow you to delve into your own personal lightbulb moments. I cannot wait to use Susanne’s storytelling template with some of my clients who are struggling to explain the WHY of change. Her comparison of individual reactions to change with responses to being asked to go swimming resonated deeply with me. Personally, I hate swimming, but my daughter loves it. The book teaches that this difference is precisely why we need to tap into everyone’s personal perspective when asking them to embrace change. I love a book that helps me enhance my organisational development practice and makes me think, and this one does that in spades!

In my work, I’m surrounded by great storytellers who help people navigate through and make sense of the tumult of organisational changes.  This book offers us a glimpse into what makes them so effective.  Reading it has left me with greater confidence to find and tell more stories in my own work with change. A reminder of some of the most human – and often forgotten – practices of navigating workplace change, and a generous sharing of templates and structures to help you make your own stories to inspire action and engagement.

Through her own stories, Susanne reminds us how to use the stories that already exist in an organisation can be coupled with new stories to create movement in the organisation and build momentum from the old to the new, from the past through to the future. Not only a deeply helpful guide to finding, shaping and telling your own stories, but a timely reminder of some of the most human  – and effective – ways of approaching change.

If I was leading a piece of organisational change, I’d want Susanne to be alongside me.  And if that wasn’t possible, I’d re read this book. 

A fascinating exploration into the origins, power and application of storytelling in everyday life. We all know how to tell stories. We do it with our friends all the time to build connection, to laugh and to reminisce. It is a tool that is frequently overlooked in organisational change and one we must try to lean on more. This book gives you the tools to create stories that can help you implement change more effectively creating that same feeling of fun, joy and togetherness in your change initiatives. A crucial tool for all Change Leaders.