7 True Storytelling® Principles

Begin to live the True Storytelling Life by learning and applying these seven principles every day.

1

Truth

You yourself must be true and prepare the energy and effort for a sustainable future.

2

Make Room

True Storytelling makes spaces respecting the stories already there — the living web of stories that surrounds us.

3

Plot

You must create stories with a clear plot — creating direction and helping people prioritize what matters.

4

Timing

You must have timing — knowing when and how to enter the living web of stories with presence and purpose.

5

Help Stories Along

You must be able to help stories on their way and be open to experiment as they unfold.

6

Staging

You must consider staging — including scenography and artifacts that support the story environment.

7

Reflecting

You must reflect on the stories and how they create value — for people, organizations, and the living planet.

How to Live the True Storytelling Life — David Boje

True Storytelling® — 5 Certificate Programs

A progressive pathway from Truth-Teller to Process Consultant. Each level has prerequisites.
Download the full Certificate Structure PowerPoint

1

Truth-Teller

Learn the 7 Principles and begin applying them in daily life. Storytelling circles, storyboarding, and living true story exercises.

2

Truth-Listener

Listening is more important than telling. Develop the art of deep ethical listening within the living web of stories.

3

Truth-Seeker

Apply the True Storytelling® Principles to methods of inquiry — research, fieldwork, and organizational analysis.

4

True Storytelling® Trainer

Train others in specific True Storytelling skill sets. Trainers train in skill sets; learn the 4 Hearts and the Golden Spiral of BEING.

5

True Storytelling® Process Consultant

Diagnose the 7 key Antenarrative Processes and do collaborative interventions to improve organizations and communities.

4 Hearts of True Storytelling® and the Golden Spiral of
            BEING

The 4 Hearts of True Storytelling® and the Amazing Golden Spiral of BEING — learned at Trainer and Process Consulting levels.

TSI 19 Modules across Certificate Programs — Slide 8 TSI Certificate Structure — Slide 9

Most content for Truth-Teller, Truth-Listener, and Truth-Seeker certificates focuses on storytelling circles, storyboarding, developing personal "living true story" exercises — and homework people can complete from our videos.

Ready to begin your True Storytelling journey?

Visit TrueStorytelling.org Browse Certificate Courses →

Certification: info@truestorytelling.org

Start Being a Truth-Teller

Begin with level 1 — and continue through each True Storytelling life.

How to Live the Truth-Teller Life

Listening is more important than telling — learn a whole other facet of True Storytelling®.

Live
          the Truth-Listener Life

Continue to Level 3 — Truth-Seeker

Apply the True Storytelling® Principles to methods of inquiry.

Live the Truth-Seeker Life — David Boje

Choose Higher Levels 4 & 5

Become a True Storytelling® Trainer

A Trainer is not the same as a Process Consultant. Trainers train in a specific skill set. A Process Consultant diagnoses the 7 key Antenarrative Processes and does a collaborative intervention to improve key processes.

Become a True Storytelling® Process Consultant

Advanced Level: connecting 8 steps of deconstructing grand narrative 'truth regimes' to the 7 Antenarrative Processes.

Our Team

USA & European co-founders of True Storytelling System©

David Boje

David Boje

Co-founder, USA · Regents Prof. Emeritus, NMSU

GraceAnn Rosile

GraceAnn Rosile

Co-founder, USA · True Storytelling©

Jens Larsen

Jens Larsen

Co-founder, Europe

Lena Bruun

Lena Bruun

Co-founder, Europe

James Sibel

James Sibel

Co-founder, True Storytelling©

More at truestorytelling.org  |  Certification: info@truestorytelling.org

Featured Videos

Watch and learn the principles of True Storytelling in action.

5 Simple Steps of Living the True Storytelling Life in the Web of Stories

What is the Biggest Problem in Doing Strategic Planning Consulting?

10 Reasons I Lead the True Storytelling© Life — click and be inspired in 13 seconds.

Resources & Downloads

📄 Certificate Structure

Download the full PowerPoint showing all 19 modules across the 5 certificate programs, including prerequisites and learning paths.

Download PowerPoint →

📖 A Grain of Sand

A short True Storytelling tale by David Boje — we are each unique as grains of sand. A quick read in Word format.

Download the Story →

🎓 TSI Courses

Prerecorded videos and workbooks with clear deliverables, professional presentation, and a coupon for better and best tiers.

Browse Courses →

🔒 Members Area

Access member-exclusive content, resources, and community discussions in the True Storytelling System® members portal.

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