Venkataraman Subramanyan’s Post

Have you ever felt that despite having powerful ideas, your messages don't create the impact they deserve? Recently, I sat with a senior executive whose story might resonate with you. On the surface, she had everything a leader needs: •   Deep expertise •   Rich experiences •   Valuable insights Yet beneath this wealth of knowledge, she felt a disconnect between her ideas and their impact. A gap between her vision and her ability to move others to action. "I have all these experiences," she confided, "but when I share them, the magic gets lost in translation." Through our conversations, we uncovered two profound insights that I believe many leaders need to hear: (1). The Power of Story Architecture: When we only focus on data and facts, we miss the emotional threads that connect with others. Learning to weave your experiences into stories allows you to create meaning beyond mere information. (2). The Art of Authentic Voice: This leader saw her personal brand, team communication, and business narratives as separate entities. But impact isn't found in isolation - it emerges when your authentic voice flows consistently through all your stories. This is why I'm inviting you to join our Leadership Storytelling Workshop with master storyteller Smita Bharti - an immersive three-day experience where you'll: #1. Explore Your Story's Potential: Craft narratives that reflect your values and build deeper connections. #2. Drive Change with Impact: Use storytelling to influence, inspire, and achieve your goals. #3. Start 2025 Strong: Master communication skills to stand out as a leader and make your mark. 📅 December 19th-21st, 2024 ⏰ SGT: 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM | IST: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM 📍 Virtual (Zoom) 💎 Investment: SGD 259 + tax | INR 15,000 + tax Walk away with three powerful stories: •   Your personal brand story that showcases your values •   Your team inspiration story that motivates and aligns •   Your versatile business story for any scenario Limited seats are available. If this message speaks to you, I'd be honored to have you join us on this journey of narrative mastery. To RSVP WhatsApp at +91 80728 34883 Let's make your voice heard and your impact felt as you step into 2025 This workshop is led by Smita Bharti, Master Storyteller and Award-Winning Playwright. With over three decades of experience in storytelling, leadership development, and organizational strategy, Smita brings a unique blend of creative and strategic expertise to elevate your storytelling and leadership skills.

Facts Tell, but Stories Sell 🚀 In today’s fast-paced business world, data and facts are crucial, but they can only take you so far. What truly connects, inspires, and drives change is storytelling. 📖✨ Whether you’re leading a team, presenting to stakeholders, or pitching to clients, mastering the art of storytelling can transform how your message is received. Here’s why: 1. Builds Connection & Trust 🤝 A well-crafted story helps people see the human side of a leader. It allows you to create empathy, build rapport, and make people feel understood. This makes it easier to inspire and influence. 2. Simplifies Complex Ideas 🧠➡️💡 Stories can take complex concepts and present them in a way that is simple, relatable, and memorable. 3. Drives Action & Change 🔄 The right story can move people to take action, adopt new behaviors, or embrace a change. It’s not just about conveying information; it’s about evoking emotions and inspiring people to act. So, how can leaders master storytelling? 🤔 1. Know Your Audience 🎯 Understand who you’re speaking to, what their challenges are, and what they care about. Your story should address their concerns and connect with their emotions. 2. Be Authentic 🗣️💬 Share stories that are genuine, even if they involve setbacks. Authenticity builds credibility. People resonate more with real experiences rather than polished success stories. 3. Create a Clear Structure 🏛️ Every good story has a beginning, middle, and end. Introduce the problem, show the journey, and present the resolution. 4. Use Emotion to Engage ❤️ Facts appeal to logic, but stories appeal to emotions. Use analogies, metaphors, and vivid descriptions to make your audience feel your message. 5. Practice, Refine, Repeat 🔄 Great storytellers are not born; they’re made. Keep practicing your storytelling skills. Ready to lead through storytelling? 🌟 Start small. Share a story at your next meeting, presentation, or networking event. Let your words inspire and leave a lasting impact. #Leadership #Storytelling #CommunicationSkills #LeadWithEmpathy #Influence This post is dedicated to All Leaders who aspire to inspire and create a positive impact... especially my APAC Make Leadership Team...We practice Storytelling on a weekly basis...5 Minutes... One Story at a Time... Susanta Bhattacharjee Crystal (Sujung) Kim Malayappan Pelendiapan Veeraya Kaewwilai rode nitin Kumar Hariharan Aswathy Chitra Nair Leah Cartago Bee Lay Wong Jason Yang Numfon (Fon) Sripawadkul Teerasak Luewirat

Want to master storytelling? Here are 5 tips I give every leader I coach. Stories captivate, persuade, and inspire. But only if you tell them right. Learn and practice ‘reading the room.’ Whether you're speaking to your team, clients, or executives... 1. Make people comfortable and safe.    → Within the first few minutes, relate with them and make them feel something positive. → Use statements like: “𝘐 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥. 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘐 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦.” 2. Make it relatable.    → People connect with stories of real experiences. → Don't be afraid to share your challenges, failures, or triumphs. (Caution : Try not to make all the stories about you.) If the story includes some of the participants and make them look good in it, share it! Can’t go wrong by making people feel good and look good in front of others. 3. Keep it simple.    → Too many details? You lose them. → Focus on the core message. Some details can be shared at a later time to be digested at people’s leisure. 4. Paint a better future    → Highlight the difference between before and after. → How things were, and how they changed or can change. This keeps people invested in the outcome. 5. End with a takeaway.    → Leave your audience with a clear lesson or action. → Something they can apply immediately. This makes your story not just memorable, but useful. Great storytelling isn’t just for the "stage." It’s a tool every leader can use to inspire and lead with impact. It’s about connecting with people on a deeper level. P.S. Want to tell better stories and lead with impact? → DM me “stories” to get started. P.P.S. Like this post if you found it insightful 👍 Repost for others ♻️ ➕ Follow me for more tips! 🔔 #Communication #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #Management #PersonalDevelopment #Careers #CorporateCommunication #SelfDevelopment #PresentationSkills #Growth

As a business leader, you know that telling a story is an effective way to communicate with your audience, regardless of the situation. Problems arise when you begin to add emotion to the story - or have none at all. We know that how a person makes us feel is more valuable than what they say. So, emotion is an important tool. It draws in your audience, keeps them paying attention, and accentuates your message. Finding the perfect balance  of emotion is an art form. It's the fine line between captivating your audience and risking your credibility. So, how do you find the best level of emotion? Here are some guiding principles to help you navigate this delicate dance in the professional space: ✔ Purposeful Connection: Before sharing your story, understand its purpose. How does it exemplify the points you aim to convey? Ensure your narrative resonates with your audience and reinforces actionable insights. ✔ Strategic Emotional Deployment: Emotion is a potent tool in storytelling. Use it judiciously to enrich your narrative without veering into melodrama. Evocative descriptions, dialogue, and personal reflections can enhance engagement.  However, oversharing and overemphasizing detracts from your message and not having any non verbal cues will leave your message flat. ✔ Audience-Centric Focus: While sharing personal experiences, focus on the relevancy of them in relation to your audience's mindset. Ensure they take away valuable lessons from your story while preserving your overall message.  Remember, it's about them, not you. ✔ Mindful Delivery: Your nonverbal cues—facial expressions, gestures, and tone—play a pivotal role in conveying emotion. Pay attention to these nuances to reinforce your leadership stance effectively. ✔ Relevance is Key: Select stories that directly correlate with the topic at hand. Avoid tangents or lengthy anecdotes that distract from your central message. Keep it concise and on point. Following these guidelines, you will harness the power of emotion in storytelling as a strategic communication tool. With the right balance of emotion and professionalism, your stories will resonate, leaving a lasting impression on your audience. #Leadership #Storytelling #ProfessionalDevelopment

Effective leadership goes beyond data and directives. It's about inspiring action and fostering a culture of trust. Enter the power of storytelling. Here's how to craft compelling narratives that resonate with your audience and elevate your leadership approach: https://buff.ly/3wBs0TY #leadershipdevelopment #communication #storytelling #organizationalculture #businesscommunication

🗣 Six techniques for being a great storyteller: Inspire, Engage, Connect Clarity on Purpose Your purpose is your "why." Clarity here gives your stories direction and resonance. Without it, engagement falls flat. Authenticity Show up as your real self. Authenticity builds trust. Let your audience see and connect with the real you. Rule of Three Keep it simple. Share three key points, whether it’s your personal journey, company vision, or broader message. Keep It Short Brevity is clarity. A compelling story has a clear beginning, middle, and end—and leaves your audience wanting more. Creativity Use language that sparks emotion: metaphors, imagery, and descriptions that make your message unforgettable. Practice Storytelling is a skill. I once received feedback to share more personal stories—and it changed how I connect with others. With practice, storytelling has become a tool I’m known for, one that helps me build deeper relationships and inspire action. Ben Renshaw, "Purpose" BEN RENSHAW LTD 💡 Storytelling is an essential leadership skill. #Storytelling #Leadership #Communication #Authenticity

Stories are powerful. We can all recall captivating stories told around a campfire or around the family dinner table. Stories have left me rolling around in laughter and my eyes wet with tears. The same can be done with colleagues. Inspiring leaders understand how authentic storytelling impacts company culture.

Is it really “the way you tell ‘em?” In my journey as a leader, I’ve discovered that mastering corporate storytelling has been a game changer. It’s not just about having a compelling story—it's about how you deliver it. If your audience isn’t engaged, even the most riveting tale can fall flat. Here’s what I’ve learned: Know Your Audience: Understanding who you’re speaking to is crucial. Tailoring your story to resonate with them ensures you’re not just speaking into the void. Craft a Benefit Statement: Clearly define what’s in it for your audience. Make sure your story addresses their needs and highlights the benefits they will gain. Frame Your Story: Use relatable analogies to hook your audience. Once they’re engaged, present your benefit statement and dive into the core of your story. Appeal to All Learning Styles: People absorb information differently. Incorporate elements that cater to various learning styles to make your message more impactful. Focus on the Other Person: Your goal is to communicate your message effectively, so tailor your storytelling approach to shift the focus from yourself to your audience. Storytelling is a bridge that connects you to your audience. When you get it right, you’ll not only capture attention but also inspire action and engagement. Remember, the best leaders use storytelling to frame their vision and make their message stick. In my forthcoming book, "Learning Beyond Limits: Leadership Lessons from Life's Journey."  I’ll show you how to embrace the power of storytelling and watch how it can transform your leadership approach! #Leadership #Storytelling #EffectiveCommunication #CorporateStorytelling #Engagement

Leadership Through Storytelling In leadership, facts and figures are necessary, but they rarely spark passion. Storytelling, on the other hand, taps into emotions and shared experiences, helping you to communicate not only what needs to be done but why it matters. When leaders tell compelling stories, they build rapport, engage their teams, and rally everyone around a shared purpose. How can you use storytelling to elevate your leadership? 1. Share Your Journey: Be open about your leadership path—talk about your challenges, lessons learned, and the moments that defined you. This authenticity builds trust and creates a deeper emotional connection with your team. 2. Tell Compelling Stories to Illustrate Key Points: Whether in meetings, emails, or presentations, use relatable stories to explain complex ideas, strategies, or company values. A well-told story can make your message stick, making it easier for your team to internalize and act on your vision. 3. Create a Culture of Storytelling: Encourage your team to share their own stories. When team members feel comfortable sharing their successes, failures, and personal insights, it fosters an inclusive environment of trust and collaboration. 4. Use Storytelling to Communicate Your Vision: Storytelling can make your vision tangible. Instead of simply stating company goals, paint a vivid picture of the future—one where the team's efforts lead to extraordinary results. Why Storytelling Works: 1. Increases Emotional Engagement: Stories capture attention and help listeners relate to the message on a personal level. When employees are emotionally engaged, they are more likely to invest in the vision you’re presenting. 2. Strengthens Team Cohesion: Sharing stories of shared experiences, triumphs, or even challenges fosters a sense of belonging, making teams feel more united. 3. Makes Leaders More Relatable: By sharing personal or team stories, you humanize your leadership, breaking down the barriers between leaders and team members. 4. Instills Core Values: Stories are an effective way to convey the values and culture you want to instil in your organization. Through stories, your values become living principles rather than abstract concepts. Remember, storytelling in leadership doesn’t mean stepping back entirely. As a leader, your role is still vital in shaping the vision and culture of your team. The key is to empower your team through authentic stories that inspire and connect, while you guide and align them toward shared goals. Let storytelling be a tool to drive action and build a stronger, united team. Have you used storytelling in your leadership journey? How has it impacted your team? Share your experiences below. #Leadership #Storytelling #Inspiration #Motivation #TeamBuilding #Vision #TeamLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence

Stories are powerful. Inspiring leaders understand how authentic storytelling impacts company culture.