My top 10 quotes on storytelling

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I have always loved stories, whether reading books, hearing tall tales from friends or listening to words of wisdom from my parents. And ever since I started in business with Student Magazine, I have been fascinated by the intersection between storytelling and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs who make a difference relate to and interact with other people – they are, in effect, professional storytellers.

The story of Virgin – its ups and down, opportunity and challenges – is what attracts people to our products and services, and also to work with us. We would be nothing without our story. To encourage you to tell yours, here’s my top 10 quotes on storytelling.

Image from Virgin Atlantic / Gary He

10. “After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” – Philip Pullman

9. “Stories are like children. They grow in their own way.” ― Madeleine L'Engle

8. “The basic rule of storytelling is 'show, don't tell.'” – Julianna Baggott

Image from Virgin Hotels

7. “Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today.” – Robert McAfee Brown

6. “Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger.” ― Ben Okri

5. “There's always room for a story that can transport people to another place.” ― J.K. Rowling

4. “The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.” – Steve Jobs

Richard Branson Necker Island pool
Image by Take Aim Photography

3. “Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in heart forever.” – Ancient Proverb

2. “Purposeful storytelling isn’t show business, it’s good business.”– Peter Guber

1. “The universe is made of stories, not atoms.” – Muriel Rukeyser

Richard Branson dinner at Ulusaba
Image by John Armstrong Photography

All this month on Virgin.com we’re discussing storytelling by telling a variety of stories. What’s your story? And how are you telling it? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. 

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