Conducting Narratives: Navigating Through Complexity Using Strategic Improvisation

How can the strategic direction for an organization be supported and communicated if planning, and even strategies, are no longer sufficient options in the age of complexity? In this book it is argued that sense-making communication defines contemporary societies and organizations in a world where narratives and the ability to engage in strategic improvisation are crucial. In the book, new and old ideas about communication and management are integrated into a framework rooted in the humanities and fine arts. The result is a new conceptual mindset for management which claims that jazz music, narrative theory, and improvisational theatre have more to offer to the development of organizations than traditional managerial models.

Jesper Falkheimer is Professor in Strategic Communication, Lund University, Sweden. He has extensive managerial experience (e.g. as executive director for research, external engagement and innovation) and is cofounder of two start-ups and an associated senior advisor at Gullers Grupp Ltd. He has been an international speaker and advisor in communication management for over 20 years. He is Editor-in-Chief for Journal of Communication Management, and President-Elect for European Public Relations Research and Education Association.

Katarina Gentzel Sandberg has worked as a communications consultant for more than 20 years and has close to 30 years of experience in communications development. What her clients have in common is that they are all social actors who act in complex environments and with complex processes. Katarina is often hired as a lecturer and teaches strategic communication in widely different contexts all over Sweden for professionals, both tailored for individual clients and on various communication training courses.

Mats Tyrstrup is an associated senior consultant at Gullers Group and co-founder and chairman of Stockholm Center of Governance. Tyrstrup has been on the board of directors on several privately owned companies representing a variety of businesses, including consultant firms, media, digital high-tech, chemical production, and business-to-consumers companies as well as business-to-business firms. Currently, he is on the board of RPM Risk and Portfolio Management (global investment management). On a regular basis, Tyrstrup is engaged as advisor to executives in the public as well as the private sector. He is also an associate professor in leadership and organisation at the Leading Health Care foundation, Stockholm School of Economics.