Leaders give direction, inspire and align employees with a vision story. They instill a sense of collegiality and purpose with values stories and ensure their people are oriented and equipped with teaching stories.
They allay fears by reframing the story, secure funding and negotiate deals, creating a shared story. They turn customers into fans by entering their story and ultimately build a brand: a story incarnate.
Leaders tell stories.
I help leaders tell their story.

“Every great leader is a great storyteller … Stories are the single most powerful tool in a leader’s toolkit.”

- Howard Gardner, Harvard psychologist and author, Leading Minds

Do you struggle with your message?

  • Lack of buy-in for a vision?
  • Finding it hard to attract talent?
  • Less than impressed with your last marketing effort?

Then you’re struggling with your Story.

Most people hire an agency to solve the problem. But here’s the thing: communication is integral to who we are. You are responsible for your message – or it’s simply not your message. 

I know what it’s like to write a 600-page book but struggle to write the back cover… Getting clarity can be difficult from close up!

That’s why I help you clarify your message.

    Lead with Story

    How to work with me

    Assessment

    30 minute coaching to see how Storytelling can help you – free of charge and commitment

    Knowledge Transfer

    I come and coach individuals or groups. Workshops are interactive and there is an emphasis on putting theory into practice

    Implementation

    I remain available to help you put your new skill set into practice – until you are happy with the results

    Book free coaching

    Why is Story so powerful?

    Stories make sense of our world; they reframe complexity to bring clarity

    We are hardwired to pay attention to stories. Instead of costing us concentration - a finite resource - stories are rejuvenating

    The brain is an experience simulator; experiencing someone's story creates an emotional bond: the Trojan horse for persuasion

    When you tell it well, your story becomes their story. People are up to 20x more likely to remember your message – and act on it

    The story sets the context for everything we do.
    In an ocean of information, story is the surfboard that lets you master the waves.

    The Story behind Storytelling

    The first time I heard about “storytelling” was in 2007.  I was eighteen years old and had just published my first novel.  Despite being a professional writer, I dismissed storytelling as naïve nonsense – entertainment for otherwise dull presentations, but nothing of inherent value to an organisation.

    Then, reading biographies, I realised that whether a person is successful or not depends to a large degree on their inner narrative . . . the story they tell themselves.  In my travels, I witnessed a similar principle playing out on a much larger scale: the contrast between Singapore and Zimbabwe shows that a nation’s narratives are more important than its resources.  If narratives are so important for individuals as well as for entire cultures, why not for organisations?

    In 2015, I was invited to Geneva as a Fellow of the GCSP (Geneva Centre for Security Policy).  As their Novelist in Residence, I contributed to executive development courses such as Creative Diplomacy.  By then, I had come to the same conclusion as Plato: Whoever the leaders may appear to be, “those who tell the stories rule society.”

    Storify your:
    Leadership - Organisational Culture - Branding - Marketing and Sales - Creative thinking - Problem solving & troubleshooting - Change management - Negotiations - Team building - Stakeholder engagement - Values - Vision - Futures thinking/scenario planning - Strategy
    Storytelling Workshop at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Switzerland

    References

    With storytelling I have scored at various events and this week in the committee of a large foundation! Thanks to Jyoti we can convey important messages "client specific".
    Andreas Zindel, Switzerland
    CEO Global Aid Network (GAiN)
    Jyoti's session at the Global Leadership Symposium in Prague inspired me to storify my own presentation. I look forward to putting more of Jyoti's advice into practice.
    Ramses Girgis, Canada
    former Nortel VP of Business Management
    Everything went well in the UAE. You helped me at the right time with my framework. Merci beaucoup.
    International security expert, France
    CEO
    “Very enjoyable to work with … outstanding presentation skills”
    Christiane Steen, Germany
    Editorial Director rotfuchs, Rowohlt
    Jyoti Guptara is always a welcome enrichment for young and old. Open, accessible, attractive and credible. These qualities make Jyoti a role model for model learning.
    From his writing workshop at one of our conferences, teachers took along many concrete exercises and tips for everyday school life.
    Jyoti accompanied our young writers (ages 8-12) very empathetically and motivatingly. Their fantasy blossomed fully and found its expression in exciting and structured texts for the book "Viermeilenstiefel".
    His trilogy, Calaspia, motivated boys and girls not only to read but also to develop their own fantasy world Neogorpia. After the half-day inspiration of Jyoti, a booklet with 11 consecutive chapters by six fourth and fifth graders was created.
    Prof. Marion Rogalla
    University of Education, PHSG