Episode 21: Your Story From the Inside Out- Simon Greenwold on Why Internal Communications Is the Most Underestimated Driver of Organizational Health

Summary In this conversation, Jason Gorman and Simon Greenwold discuss the power of storytelling as a strategic tool for organizations, particularly in higher education. Simon, co-founder and CEO of Story as a Service and Jason's business partner, draws on over 25 years of experience at Northwestern University and EdTech company 2U to explain how organizations can clarify their core story and communicate it effectively, both internally and externally. They explore real client work at Princeton and Excelsior University, the current state of higher education under political and economic pressure, and why storytelling is a practical superpower for faculty, learning designers, and institutional leaders. Takeaways Internal communications are the most important and least understood part of organizational health. Every organization has a core story that must be clarified before strategy can be built. Storytelling translates academic jargon into language anyone can understand. People remember three things, so be concise and intentional. Stakeholders hold stakes; understand what they care about before you communicate. Higher ed is being disrupted by AI, politics, and economics all at once. Most workplace turbulence feels severe but is usually mild. An organization's core story is like a Shakespeare play: same story, new forms over time. AI will disrupt learning design but will not replace the humanity it requires. Storytelling is a learnable skill that can become a professional superpower. Watch the full episode Your Story From the Inside Out- Simon Greenwold on Why Internal Communications Is the Most Underestimated Driver of Organizational Health