Illuminate

Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies, and Symbols

By: Nancy Duarte, Patti Sanchez

Narrated by: Patti Sanchez

"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do".

With these words, Apple Inc., and its leader, Steve Jobs, catalyzed a movement. Whenever Jobs took the stage to talk about new Apple products, the whole world seemed to stop and listen. That’s because Jobs was offering a vision of the future. He wanted you to feel what the world might someday be like, and trust him to take you there.

As a leader, you have the same potential to not only anticipate the future and invent creative initiatives, but to also inspire those around you to support and execute your vision.

In Illuminate, acclaimed author Nancy Duarte and communications expert Patti Sanchez equip you with the same communication tools that great leaders like Jobs, Howard Schultz, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used to move people. Duarte and Sanchez lay out a plan to help you lead people through the five stages of transformation using speeches, stories, ceremonies, and symbols.

This accessible communication guidebook will show you how Apple, Starbucks, IBM, charity: Water, and others have mobilized people to embrace bold changes.

To envision the future is one thing, getting others to go there with you is another. By harnessing the power of persuasive communication you, too, can turn your idea into a movement.

©2016 Nancy Duarte and Patti Sanchez (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Whether it is to well-dressed executives or begrimed young soldiers, there is a vast difference between simply transmitting information and effectively communicating. Illuminate is a tremendous guide for anyone who must educate, motivate or inspire - and that’s just about all of us.” (General Stanley McChrystal, author of Team of Teams and cofounder of McChrystal Group)

“Great leaders aren’t measured by their volume but by their ability to be truly heard. To motivate others, leaders must listen and communicate empathetically. With Illuminate, everyone can learn to lead - even without being loud.” (Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking and cofounder of Quiet Revolution)

"Duarte and Sanchez give us the unique concept that our company’s change and growth have the structure of epic drama; we make our stories through working out our difficulties. She gives an even deeper insight that we must begin our next journey before the current one ends. Most people misunderstand the role of story in our lives, but by understanding it, we can use it as a metaphor for leading." (Ed Catmull, president of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios and author of Creativity, Inc)

Change

Excellent survey of real life change agents, their process, successes and mistakes. Not just theory.

Beyond the Hero's Journey

Would you consider the audio edition of Illuminate to be better than the print version?

NO ... but I am VERY Happy that Duarte finally put out a book on Audible.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Illuminate?

The first few chapters were the best.

The case studies seem to be the same ones all the top consultants use in their presentations.

I very much liked the inside look at how Duarte applies what she teaches to her own firm. I also liked how candid they were in sharing some of the bumps they've experience throughout the years.

What about Patti Sanchez’s performance did you like?

She is a PRO... and very easy to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No crying, just the occasional laugh.

Any additional comments?

I very much wish that the Audio was coupled with the Kindle Edition--Whispersync.

And I am surprised that there wasn't a supplemental handout to download (at least not as of this review on 2-16-16.

It was only after looking at the Kindle Edition, that I noticed how many great drawings, illustrations, and pictures I missed out on :(

okay

I heard most of the stories before. Still good to be reminded. I listened at 1.5x

Awesome

Like everything they touch, this too is golden.
Definately worth the time (to say the least)!

Every leader has a story to tell

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, but get the most out of Illuminate by having the print version handy, as it is beautifully illustrated for those of use who are visual learners.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Illuminate?

The stories and case studies, particularly the story of how Duarte has sustained leadership in their industry by re-inventing themselves as their industry and technology changed.

What about Patti Sanchez’s performance did you like?

Fairly easy to listen, even in 1.5x mode.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Venture Scape: The frontier in which leaders create the future.

Any additional comments?

To get the most out of Illuminate: Listen to the book and enjoy the case studies via audio, then view the printed version to better visualize the tool to know which kind of story to tell as you lead.The book is well researched, including original case studies and numerous footnotes. Their research forms the basis of their model called a “venture scape”— a sigmoid-shaped curve illustrating the process of change through five stages: Dream, Leap, Fight, Climb, and Arrive. These stages, they observe, represent a story arc characteristic of significant movements in society and business.

Brilliant approach to leading change!

If you are a leader who cares about your team members, the insights in this book can provide you with the tools you need to educate, motivate and inspire people during times of change. It will also help you to recognize when change is needed and The various stages of the journey. Each stage has a unique problem and Nancy and Patty offer practical approaches that move you and your team forward. The case studies aren't just "success stories." Instead they illustrate real-life challenges that can occur while implementing these approaches and how to overcome them. I also purchased the hard copy of the book as a reference. It includes a foldout Communication Toolkit that outlines each stage and how to use speeches, stories, ceremonies, and symbols for each stage. Highly recommend.

Not for people allergic to empty lingo

One of the few books I could not manage to finish despite my 'I paid for it, so I will finish it' attitude' All empty business rhetoric on hope and change, mistaking latching on to each and every meme floating around as wisdom and probably being paid way to much for it. Condescending tone about leaders who have to hold the led by the hand to prepare them for change. Nothing but repetition on change.

Too trivial

The book is fool of common places, general statements like “inspire your followers”, etc, that do not provide specific instructions or stories from real companies. I tried ha