Since the Read to Lead Podcast debuted back in July 2013, it has been a goal of mine to one day welcome author Nancy Duarte to the show. I have long been a fan of her book Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations and, more recently, Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences. When I heard earlier this year that she had a new book coming out, I knew I had to work to get her on the show. The best part is, we not only get a chance to speak to Nancy, but we have the distinct privilege of welcoming her co-author Patti Sanchez as well. In Illuminate: Ignite Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies and Symbols, Nancy and Patti equip with the same communication tools that great leaders like Steve Jobs, Howard Shultz (Starbucks), and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used to move people. To hear our conversation, just click the play button below. Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS In today’s episode, Nancy, Patti and I discuss: The importance of your ability as a leader to move others forward and the role story plays in the process The key to listening with an empathetic ear and how best to put yourself in the shoes of others What we can learn from companies like Rackspace, charity: water and Apple about getting from where we are to where we want to be And a lot more… This Episode is Sponsored By FreshBooks FreshBooks is currently offering a month of unrestricted use to to all RtLP listeners – totally free right now. And, you don’t need a credit card for the trial. To claim your free month, click here and be sure and enter ReadToLead in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section. If your business uses Freshbooks, and you’d like to share your experience with the Read to Lead audience, click the contact tab at the top of this page and let us know. Be sure and include “FreshBooks” in the subject line. Nancy and Patti’s Latest Book You can order your copy of Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies, and Symbols right now. Nancy and Patti on Writing the Book Books Nancy and Patti Recommend Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t by Jim Collins (Nancy) How the Might Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In by Jim Collins (Nancy) Bible (Nancy) Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (Patti) Self-Renewal: The Individual and the Innovative Society by John Gardner (Patti) Nancy and Patti’s Resources The best place to find out more about Nancy and Patti is at their company