Portrait of the manager as a young author

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Corporations increasingly recognize the power of storytelling, with companies like Microsoft employing dedicated storytellers and others like IBM and Coca-Cola utilizing narrative techniques. Steve Jobs exemplified this approach, making narrative a vital communication tool for organizations. In 'Portrait of the Manager as a Young Author', Philipp Schoenthaler delves into the surprising connection between business and storytelling. The apparent contradiction lies in the notion that, as philosopher Hans Blumenberg suggests, stories are meant to pass the time, yet managers often appear pressed for time. Nevertheless, Schoenthaler highlights how narratives can simplify complexity, especially when digital information overwhelms our cognitive capacity. Both words and numbers serve as instruments of truth, revealing their interdependence within management. This raises questions about the implications of ubiquitous narratives and the commercialization of storytelling on literature. Schoenthaler examines the interplay between economics and literature through the lens of storytelling, presenting a unique perspective as an award-winning literary author. This work contrasts with typical business-focused storytelling literature by addressing how storytelling influences business and vice versa. Translated by Amanda DeMarco.