About the Book

We all have stories to tell

We have always used stories to entertain, teach, and inspire. And despite what we’re often led to believe, storytelling is not an innate ability. It’s a skill that anyone—from marketers and professional communicators to parents and teachers—can, and should, master.

In What Great Storytellers Know, bestselling author and storytelling teacher Bernadette Jiwa takes you through the steps of finding and strengthening your storytelling muscles. Through a blend of keen observations and powerful tips, Jiwa illustrates the seven essential skills to being a great storyteller, and shows you how to cultivate them to build trust and connection.

You’ll discover how to become more fully present and in tune with the world around you; how to find the extraordinary in the everyday and the power in the particular; how to speak from the heart and express your truth; and how to recognise, and replicate, the patterns in strong stories to chart an emotional path for your audiences.

Along the way, you’ll also experience how the power of storytelling extends not just to the listener, but to the storyteller. As you learn to find your voice, you’ll uncover your own courage and the ability to create the change you want to see—whether to inspire hope in the hearts of your team, to build trust with your customers, or to strengthen a relationship.