Stories are the fabric of our humanity, woven into every culture and passed down through generations. From ancient myths to modern novels, storytelling shapes the way we understand the world and each other. As Haruki Murakami points out, when we limit ourselves to familiar narratives, we limit our thinking. Stories have the power to ignite new perspectives, awaken empathy, and inspire action.
Why is storytelling important?
The 12 quotes below capture the essence of why storytelling is more than entertainment — it's a fundamental part of being human. Whether offering courage in the face of adversity, like Neil Gaiman’s reminder that "dragons can be beaten," or serving as nourishment for our souls, as Philip Pullman suggests, stories connect us to deeper truths. Storytelling, as Margaret Atwood emphasizes, is built into who we are and will always endure. This is why the power of storytelling matters — it shapes us, moves us, and defines our shared experiences.
Haruki Murakami – Independent Thinking
"If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking."
— Haruki Murakami
Madeleine L'Engle – Humanity & Courage
"Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, more loving."
— Madeleine L'Engle
Philip Pullman – Essential Stories
"After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world."
— Philip Pullman
Margaret Atwood – Innate Storytelling
"You're never going to kill storytelling, because it's built into the human plan. We come with it."
— Margaret Atwood
Neil Gaiman – Defeating Dragons
"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
— Neil Gaiman
Joan Didion – Survival Stories
"We tell ourselves stories in order to live."
— Joan Didion
Robert McKee – Power of Ideas
"Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today."
— Robert McKee
Lisa Cron – Identity & Story
"Storytelling is not something we do. Storytelling is who we are."
— Lisa Cron
Ursula K. Le Guin – Universal Stories
"There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories."
— Ursula K. Le Guin
Terry Pratchett – Stories Shape Us
"People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around."
— Terry Pratchett
Joseph Campbell – Memorable Narratives
"People forget facts. They remember stories."
— Joseph Campbell
Maya Angelou – Emotional Impact
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
— Maya Angelou

Why does storytelling matter for business?
In the corporate world, storytelling transcends mere presentation skills, it's a fundamental business competency. When companies harness the power of narrative, they transform abstract data into memorable experiences and forge deeper connections with their audiences. Here's why storytelling has become indispensable in business:
- Brand Building & Customer Connection
- Stories create emotional bonds between brands and customers
- Narrative-driven marketing outperforms traditional advertising by making brands more relatable and memorable
- Companies like Apple and Nike have built empires not just on products, but on compelling brand narratives
- Leadership & Change Management
- Leaders use stories to communicate vision and inspire teams
- Change initiatives succeed when framed within narrative frameworks that help employees understand and embrace transformation
- Stories make abstract strategic goals tangible and actionable
- Sales & Client Relationships
- Case studies and customer success stories provide social proof
- Narrative-based pitches are 22 times more memorable than fact-based presentations
- Stories help salespeople build trust and demonstrate understanding of client challenges
- Knowledge Transfer & Learning
- Stories make complex information accessible and memorable
- Institutional knowledge is preserved through shared narratives
- Training programs that incorporate storytelling show higher retention rates
EXPLORE: Top storytelling speakers to help your team grow

Best storyteller speakers for business
- Simon Sinek
- Known for: "Start With Why" methodology
- Expertise: Leadership storytelling and organisational purpose
- Notable story: His "Golden Circle" concept has revolutionized how companies communicate their mission
- Brené Brown
- Known for: Vulnerability and courage in leadership
- Expertise: Authentic storytelling in business contexts
- Impact: Her TED Talk on vulnerability became a global phenomenon, changing how leaders approach authenticity
- Nancy Duarte
- Known for: Presentation design and story structure
- Expertise: Visual storytelling and communication strategy
- Achievement: Transformed how Silicon Valley companies present ideas
- Seth Godin
- Known for: Marketing storytelling and brand narratives
- Expertise: Creating remarkable stories that spread
- Influence: His blog posts and books have redefined marketing storytelling
- Carmine Gallo
- Known for: Breaking down successful presentation techniques
- Expertise: Business storytelling and public speaking
- Focus: Analyzing how successful leaders use storytelling to drive results
These speakers demonstrate that business storytelling isn't just about entertainment—it's about creating meaningful connections, driving change, and achieving tangible business outcomes. Their success proves that in today's information-rich world, the ability to craft and deliver compelling narratives is more crucial than ever for business success.

💡 Would you like to mark any of these events with an expert speaker? Let us know, and we’ll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via the chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it’s always a good time to get a PepTalk!
