Confident Storytelling Hub

What if your greatest limitation wasn’t your voice, but the story you’ve been telling yourself?

As the Founder of Confident Storytelling Hub, I empower individuals to transform fear into confidence and craft stories that captivate and inspire. With proven frameworks and personalized coaching, I’m on a mission to help a million voices shine by 2035.

Your voice, your legacy—unleash it today!

Founder & Master Coach

What if your story had the power to inspire, influence, and create impact—but it’s trapped inside you?

As a Storytelling Coach, I help individuals uncover their authentic voice, conquer self-doubt, and craft compelling narratives that resonate. My mission is to transform fear into confidence, turning your story into your greatest superpower.

Your story deserves to be told—let’s unleash it together!

Storytelling Coach

What if your story could spark a change, one video at a time?

As a Storyteller on YouTube, I bring life to untold narratives, blending emotion, authenticity, and purpose. Through inspiring stories, practical tips, and transformational insights, I empower viewers to find their voice and own their journey.

Subscribe today—your next breakthrough starts with a story!

Storyteller

Yoodli

Part of an invite-only group of world champions of public speaking, TEDx trainers, expert speech coaches building artificial intelligence to help people improve their communication skills without the pressure of an audience. Learn more at www.yoodli.ai.

Coach Advisor

Confident Storytelling Podcast

Host of the Confident Storytelling Podcast. Previously known as Small Town Bigger Dreams Podcast, the podcast is now into its Season-3 with a complete focus on various aspects of storytelling. New episodes are added every week.

Podcast Host

Small Town Bigger Dreams

21 lessons to achieving your dreams in 21st century

Book Author

Tata Consultancy Services

Associate Consultant

Working as a service manager for a large pharmaceutical client

Assistant Consultant

Currently working on a project for a major pharmaceutical company of US. Project is related to their business processes and is based on SharePoint 2010, InfoPath and workflows etc.

IT Analyst

Global Online Advanced Toastmasters Club

Find out more about GOAT at globalonlinetmc.toastmastersclubs.org

Treasurer

Basingstoke Speakers Club

President of Basingstoke Speakers Club. Find out more details at http://basingstoke.toastmasterclub.org/

President

Toastmasters International

Area Director of Area A46 which consists of 4 Corporate (Microsoft Speakers, Reading Verizon Toastmasters, Verizon EMEA Toastmasters & Oracle Toastmasters ) and 2 Community Clubs (Reading Speakers & Newbury Speakers) for the toastmasters year 2021-22.

Area Director

Global Online Advanced Toastmasters (GOAT) Club

Chartering president of the Global Online Advanced Toastmasters Club. 
Visit the website https://globalonlinetmc.toastmastersclubs.org/ for more details.

Chartering President

Basingstoke Speakers - Toastmasters Club

Vice President Education

What if your greatest limitation was never your voice, but the story you've been telling yourself? 

That VOICE inside your head screaming: 

“You're not enough”?

Imagine standing on a stage, heart racing, palms sweating – trapped in the loop of 
self-doubt.  

I know because I was THAT person. 

The one who watched opportunities slip away – paralyzed by the phantom of self-doubt.

Until I discovered the most dangerous weapon against fear – Your Authentic Voice. 

So, are you ready to turn your biggest limitation into your ultimate superpower?

Hi, I am Haritosh Srivastav – a passionate Storytelling Coach, Certified World-Class Speaking Coach, and Mentor. I specialize in transforming stage fright into powerful stories that captivate, influence, and inspire. 

With over 17 years as an IT Portfolio Manager at TCS and recognition as an award-winning speaker—International Public Speaking Championship finalist, Distinguished Toastmaster, and Amazon bestselling author of ‘Small Town Bigger Dreams’—I bring the perfect blend of storytelling artistry and leadership insights to take your confidence and communication to the next level! 

Whether you’re a professional looking to ace a keynote, a coach ready to build your brand, or someone seeking to overcome public speaking fears, my proven frameworks will not just help you with words – but a story that moves inspires, and creates momentum – to transform you from Invisible to Invincible!

The Mission: Empowering a Million Voices by 2035

This isn't just a goal. It's a promise. 

My 5-Step Storytelling Framework is more than a methodology. It's a lifeline for those drowning in self-doubt:

🗣️ Mindset Mastery: Rewiring Internal Narratives
🗣️ Story Collection: Excavating your unique experiences
🗣️ Narrative Architecture: Crafting powerful story elements
🗣️ Delivery Dynamics: Transforming technique into art
🗣️ Continuous Evolution: Feedback-driven growth

🟠 Credentials That Speak Volumes
→ Distinguished Toastmasters (Top 1% Globally)
→ Top 10 Best Speech Coach in the UK (Yoodli.ai)
→ Amazon Bestselling Author: 'Small Town Bigger Dreams'

🟠 Join my Community → “Confident Storytelling Hub”
→ Personalized Coaching
→ Daily Micro-Challenges
→ Weekly Mastermind Sessions

Your story isn't waiting to be told. It's waiting to be unleashed.

PS: In a world of noise, your authentic story is your most powerful megaphone.

Your Voice, Your Legacy Starts Here

Choose Wisely. 

Book a Call → Limited Spots Available!

Haritosh Srivastav

𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡, 𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.

After 14 years, Bengaluru wasn’t just a personal visit for me, it became a 𝑁𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑛 by design.

I extended my stay by 24 hours and consciously met members of Confident Storytelling Hub — Devi, Manasa Krishna, Rosorika Angom I PMP l CSM l ICF Certified Coach l Toastmaster, and Aditi.

I also reconnected with members from my coach Siddharth Rajsekar’s Internet Lifestyle Hub community.

Those in-person conversations reminded me of three timeless truths:
1. 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐈𝐧-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭.
 Nothing replaces eye contact, shared laughter, and unfiltered conversations.

2. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞.
 Meetups don’t just exchange business cards — they unlock lived experiences.

3. 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞.
 A strong code of honour creates relationships that outlast any transaction.

This trip reaffirmed something I deeply believe, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒔.

I’m now planning a Confident Storytelling Hub meetup for Delhi NCR -  designed for conversations, stories, and real connections, not pitch decks.

👉 If you were to attend such a meetup, what would make it truly valuable for you?

Helping You Build an Impactful Personal Brand with Storytelling 101 | Certified Speaking Coach | Top 10 Coach: Recognized by Yoodli.ai in the UK | Turn your Voice into Your Greatest Asset → Reach out NOW.

𝐴 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝐵𝑁𝐼 𝐴𝑙𝑝ℎ𝑎 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝐸𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑈𝑝 𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑀𝑦 30-𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑃𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑃𝑈𝑅𝐸 𝐻𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖! 😄🇮🇳

Last Thursday at our BNI Alpha meeting, our President and Leadership Team dropped an unexpected twist:
👉 “𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝟑𝟎 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈!”

No prep.
No warning.
No cheat sheet (I mean, we did use ChatGPT for some help 😅)

 Just go for it. 😄

And that’s how I found myself switching from my usual English/Hinglish flow
to shuddh Hindi — even using the word “Peshawar” with full confidence!

Was it challenging?
Absolutely.

Was it fun?
A LOT more than I expected.

And it reminded me of a beautiful truth:
✨ Communication is not about the language you speak.
✨ It’s about the ideas you transfer.
✨ It’s about the connection you create.

When your intention is clear and your message is strong, the language becomes a vehicle, not a barrier.

🎥 Here’s the fun Hindi version I delivered — enjoy the video!

Huge shoutout to our BNI Alpha President & Leadership Team for this creative and courageous challenge.

It pushed all of us to step out of our comfort zone and smile through it.

🔥 Story Power to You!

🌟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 “𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮” 𝐒𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Last week, during a coaching session, I shared a simple insight with a senior professional and it landed like a revelation for her.

She paused, looked at me and said,
“Haritosh, I never thought of it this way.”

Here’s what I told her:

👉 In speaking and storytelling, overusing “thank you” doesn’t make you polite, it makes you look unsure.

Many professionals end their sentences with:
“Thank you, thank you so much,  thank you for listening, thank you for your time and so on”

Not once.
Not twice.
But five to six times in a 2–3 minute talk.

🔎 What the audience hears:
“I’m not confident.”
“Please validate me.”
“I hope I’m doing okay.”

But you’re not supposed to seek permission.You’re supposed to command attention.

Here’s the truth👇
✨ A powerful communicator thanks the audience once at the end, and spends the rest of the time delivering value.

Because credibility doesn’t come from gratitude alone.
It comes from clarity, conviction, and control of the room.

So the next time you speak —
Cut the extra “thank yous.”
Say it once.
Say it with intention.
And let your message do the talking.

If this hits home, drop a 🔥 in the comments.
And if you’re someone who unknowingly does this, don’t worry — you’re not alone. I help professionals fix this every day.

Thank You 😊

Thank you so much Team Noida Extension Toastmasters Club for highlighting my video 🙏
As I mentioned, we just need to keep showing up and sky is the limit.
Story Power to All of You 🤩👏👍

New Name, Same Vision – Noida Extension Toastmasters Club (Formerly SpeakersHub GreNo West)

View Noida Extension Toastmasters Club’s profile

Thank you, Haritosh Srivastav, for your wonderful words.

You have truly been instrumental in the growth of this club—through your leadership, consistency, and commitment. Your efforts reflect in the energy, learning, and culture we see today. Grateful to have leaders like you who don’t just speak about growth but actively build it. 🙏

His message is SHOW UP!!

#toastmasters

💥 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬!

Last Saturday, we celebrated our 6th Graduation Ceremony of 2025 for the Video Confidence Challenge in @confident and what an incredible evening it was! 🎉🎥

November was a special month inside the Confident Storytelling Hub.

We went back to the roots and picked the best tasks from all previous challenges, creating a powerful 15-video “November Mixer Challenge.”

The reflections, creativity, and breakthroughs were truly next level.

🔥 This month also saw our highest-ever induction - the energy inside the community is buzzing like never before!

During the ceremony, we honoured our amazing members with awards such as:
🏅 Stalwart Storyteller - Dinesh Desai
🏅 Most Bold Storyteller - Shilpa Chauhan
🏅 Most Innovative Storyteller - Vignesh Babu B R B
🏅 Phoenix Storyteller - Manasa Krishna
🏅 Breakthrough Storyteller -@nayana

And here's a proud moment
 ✨ 3 more members (Venkatraman Chellappan, Dinesh Wadhva & Sunny Nagpal) entered the Hall of Fame for completing 3 monthly challenges within 6 months!

📈 17 members completed the November Mixer Challenge with all 15 videos submitted -our highest completion ever!

Now, we gear up for something even bigger.

🚀 The December Challenge is about to begin — and we’re ending this year on a solid, powerful note.

If you’d like to know more or join us inside the Confident Storytelling Hub,
 👇 Comment “CSH” and I’ll reach out with the details.

Story Power To You ✨🙌

November Mixer Challenge Awards Ceremony

𝐌𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬.

Inconvenient would be an understatement.

As founders and entrepreneurs, we often carry too much in our hands and too many tabs in our heads.

When I looked closer, I realized something interesting. 
I hadn’t rebooted my laptop for weeks.

On returning home, the diagnosis was clear.
Battery issue. Replacement needed.

Covered under warranty, but not immediately available.

So I had a choice.
Run the laptop plugged in all the time or pause.

This situation forced a new habit.
Every night, I had to close all my work and shut the laptop down completely.

And that’s when the real realization hit me.

If machines need a shutdown to function better,
how often do we give ourselves one?

We keep running on low battery.
Mentally open tabs.
Emotionally plugged in.
Physically exhausted.

This simple constraint reminded me how powerful intentional shutdowns can be.

Not quitting.
Not slowing ambition.
Just resetting.

Now the battery stock is back.
And I’m wondering

Do I rush to get it fixed,
or continue this sacred practice for a little longer 😅

When was the last time you truly shut down and rebooted yourself?

𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐠 𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲.𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲. 

And it taught me something powerful about communication.

I was watching *Maharani* on Sony LIV when a scene in Season 1 Episode 3 hit me harder than expected.

Mukhiya, played brilliantly by the late Alok Chatterjee, was addressing a crowd.
Instead of giving facts, orders or instructions, he began with a story.

The classic *𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫* story.

You know it.
Put a frog in hot water, it jumps.
Put it in cold water and heat it slowly, it keeps adjusting until it’s too late.

But the way he narrated it, the way he used it to shift the mindset of the entire crowd in minutes... that is the true power of storytelling.

It reminded me once again that when you lead with a story, three things instantly become easier
✔ Your audience understands your message
✔ They feel emotionally connected
✔ They’re far more likely to take action

Whether it’s a political campaign, a complex data presentation or selling your services, stories cut through noise like nothing else.

If you want to communicate with more clarity, influence and confidence, send me a DM with the word “STORY.”

I’ll share how you can level up your speaking and storytelling immediately.

image credit - internet

How do I become a captivating Storyteller overnight?

I often get this question, and my answer is - Unless you are part of a small minority, you aren't a born Storyteller.

But you can choose to be one by following simple habits or rituals.

Rituals that have helped me become a better Storyteller & speaker in the last one and a half decades. I still am learning.

So here are the 5 daily rituals I recommend to get a compound return in Storytelling.

1️⃣ Observe
2️⃣ Read
3️⃣ Write 
4️⃣ Listen
5️⃣ Practice

Story Power To You ✨🙌

A Daily Routing To Boost Your Storytelling Skills

𝟓𝟎+ 𝟓⭐ 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬. 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥. 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞.

When people take time to write about their confidence, clarity, and courage -  you know something meaningful is happening.

Confident Storytelling Hub started with one belief: 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑑.

These 50+ reviews remind me that storytelling isn’t about speaking better.
It’s about showing up braver—in life, career, and business.

To every member who trusted the process—thank you 🙏

You are the real story.

If you want to:
 • Speak with confidence
 • Share your ideas clearly
 • Show up on camera or stage without fear

Comment “STORY” and I’ll share how you can be part of Confident Storytelling 
Hub.

The world needs more confident storytellers and it starts with me & you 🙏

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐨.𝟔?

Two prime ministers,
A tense moment,
A single sentence that instantly calms everyone down.

And when the visiting PM finally asks,
 “What exactly is Rule No.6?”

The answer is something we all need to hear.

🎥 Watch this short video — it might just lighten your whole day.

🔥 Story Power to You!

🎤 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 — 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬

During a discussion last week, something subtle yet powerful happened.

One of the participants, demonstrated a communication skill that most professionals overlook:
He used a 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐑𝐎 𝐏𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐄 to enter the conversation.

Not by interrupting.
Not by waiting endlessly.
But by noticing a tiny gap — a one-second opening — and inserting his point with clarity.

And that moment reminded me of an important lesson for every professional:

💡 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞
In meetings, presentations, and group discussions, you will often have something valuable to contribute. 
But the speaker may continue talking or the discussion may move on or you may feel you’re “waiting for your turn.”

Instead of interrupting or staying silent, try this:
✔️ Listen attentively
✔️ Spot the tiny pause in the speaker’s flow
✔️ Insert your point smoothly and respectfully

This single technique helps you:
Speak without interrupting
Sound confident
Get acknowledged
Make your point heard
Build presence in any room

As a communication and storytelling coach, I see this mistake constantly:
People wait too long or they cut someone off.

But great communicators do neither.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫.

Master this, and your influence in meetings will instantly grow.

If this insight helped, drop a “💬” in the comments — I’ll share more micro-skills like this soon.

🎯 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁!)

A few days back, during one of our Live Huddles in the Confident Storytelling Hub, I witnessed a presenter do something brilliantly simple yet incredibly powerful.

He followed what I call the #1 rule of effective PowerPoint presentations:

👉 “𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞.”

Instead of hiding behind slides or flooding the audience with visuals, he kept switching between:
🔹 Presentation → Presenter
 🔹 Presenter → Presentation
This subtle rhythm created curiosity, engagement, and anticipation.
The audience kept wondering:
✨ “Are there more slides?”
 ✨ “Should I focus on the visual or the speaker?”
 ✨ “What’s coming next?”

And because of that, they stayed hooked.

Why this works
Most people make the mistake of letting slides dominate their talk.
But the best communicators use slides as supporting actors, not the hero.
The speaker is the hero.
The story is the hero.
The slide? Just a prop.

Takeaway for your next presentation
✔️ Use only the slides you truly need
✔️ Show them briefly
✔️ Switch back to being the main focus
✔️ Make your audience curious, not confused

Great storytelling isn’t about more slides. It’s about more connection.

If you want to learn how to present with confidence, clarity, and charisma, let’s connect.

Your next presentation can be your breakthrough moment. 💥

It's just so amazing to be a human bridge between two amazing people I know Narmadha Kamalakannan  & Gaurav Gandhi 👌👏
So happy to see you both together ❤️
More power to both of you 🙏

People, Talent & Culture Architect | Doctorate Researcher – Organizational Culture in the AI Era | DE&I Ambassador | Author | Award-Winning HR Leader

Meeting Gaurav Gandhi, thanks to our common connection Haritosh Srivastav, felt less like an introduction in Vienna and more like reconnecting with someone - one shaped by purpose, meaningful work, and values-driven choices. Our conversation has stayed with me long after the event.

A heartfelt appreciation to the authors Gaurav, apoorv bamba, and Lochan Narayanan (She/Her) for creating Career Heist—a book that speaks directly to professionals navigating transitions in an AI-accelerated world. As someone who has spent years designing talent strategies, career architectures, and organizational culture frameworks, I see this book as a powerful tool that reminds that : your career is your responsibility… and your greatest asset.

What stood out for me:
✨ Practical, Actionable Tools
Not just concepts—but exercises that move readers from reflection to execution. This is rare and incredibly valuable for real-world career shifts.

🛠️ A Clear 7-Step Framework
The structure in Chapter 6 offers a grounded, repeatable roadmap—something I find myself recommending to mentees who often feel lost in ambiguity.

🎯 A Human-Centric Approach to Career Ownership
In an era where careers are no longer linear, Career Heist reinforces the mindset shift each professional needs: to intentionally craft, recalibrate, and own their journey.

This book is not merely a read—it is a companion for anyone designing the next chapter of their career with clarity and confidence.
You can order at : https://lnkd.in/epQKUTV7

#CareerHeist #CareerDesign #OrganizationalCulture #TalentStrategy #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork #CareerTransitions

StoryLab

Throughout high-school, university and my first jobs, I was a lousy public speaker.
Any time I had to go in front of an audience, my legs started trembling, my head got red and my breath was barely enough to maintain three words. Back then, I thought that is just what I have to deal with every time. 

Luckily, I learned that it doesn’t have to be that way. 

During my MBA, I started taking improv class. First improv, then acting, and then storytelling.
With each class, I realized that public speaking is not rocket science. You don’t have to be a natural born storyteller. There are, actually, a few powerful techniques that you can use to become a great storyteller.

Realizing that, I started coaching friends & colleagues on storytelling.

With each month, I was coaching more and more people on storytelling. 

At one point, I thought: ”This is cool. I get so much energy out of this. Why don’t I make this my job?" And that’s when I started Power of Storytelling.

Now I do what I love: Help others discover the storyteller that is within each one of us ❤️!

Founder

Nonprofit

This is my attempt to earn Karma points to pay off my soaring karmic debt. I know, it’s not an easy one.
Beyond this selfish reason, I love the planet and I’m excited to support environmental NGOs.
As part of that, I consulted the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for the full year of 2021, helping FSC reduce fraud, distribute funds within its network, and organise global trainings.

Consultant to Environmental NGOs

Uber

Product Manager

Senior Strategy & Planning Associate

Bain & Company

Senior Associate Consultant

The Blackstone Group

Analyst

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools to hook your listeners and keep them hanging on every word.
But most advice out there makes it sound way too complicated.

The truth? Great storytelling is actually pretty easy when you know what really matters.

By now, I've trained 100s of companies like Google, Visa, and ASICS, written 3 bestselling books, and helped millions on YouTube tell unforgettable stories. 

I’ve realized that anyone can be a magnetic storyteller, if they follow the right steps.

Here’s how I can support you on this journey:
1️⃣ Check out my Youtube videos (they're free and better than most paid courses!)
2️⃣ Join 10,000+ amazing people to get weekly actionable tips.
3️⃣ Host a customized storytelling or communications skills training for your team.

Just drop me a note at https://storylab.co/.

Philipp Humm

I spent the last 2.5 months working from Asia.
To be honest… I was scared to go.

New time zones.
Distance from clients.
And a quiet fear that if I wasn’t in Europe, things might fall apart.

But looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made, for myself and the business.

Here’s what actually happened:

1. I handed off even more workshops and it worked beautifully

I’ve delegated workshops before, but never at this level.
Being on the other side of the world forced me to trust people more, not less.
And the surprising part?
The team crushed it.
Clients were happy.
And I realized that giving more away didn’t weaken the business — it strengthened it.

2. I dropped habits that didn’t serve me

Not in a dramatic “new me” way.
Just quietly and consistently.
Less phone.
Less spiraling.
Less reacting to every email like it’s urgent.


More calm.
More presence.
More mornings that actually felt like mornings.

3. Asia gave me perspectives I didn’t know I needed

Playing Go every morning.
Doing Qigong in the park.
Dancing with aunties at night.

Seeing how other cultures move, rest, and connect
made me question how much of my own life was running on autopilot.

I left Europe afraid I’d lose momentum.
I came back realizing I was the one who needed to slow down.

If you’ve ever felt scared to step away from your routine — I get it.
But sometimes distance isn’t a risk.


Sometimes it’s the reset that finally frees you.

Speak Like the Top 1% | 3x Bestselling Author | TEDx Speaker

I spent the last month in China.
Here are the 3 things I enjoyed way more than I expected:

1. Renting a private karaoke room for just two people

I’ve always hated big karaoke nights.
But a small studio where you can scream-sing with just my partner (or friend)?
Pure joy. Zero pressure.

2. Playing the board game Go every day

I’d never played it before this trip.
Now I’m obsessed and still getting humbled by my partner daily.
It’s basically meditation… with consequences.

3. Getting a massage with a friend… while watching TV
This should be standard in the West.
It’s like a spa day and a sleepover had a baby.
10/10 — would absolutely make this a weekly ritual.

China surprised me in the best ways.

The small, random moments became the memories I talk about the most.

Want to become a better storyteller than 92% of people?

You don’t need a drama degree.
You don’t need crazy life experiences.
You don’t even need more time.

You just need 10 minutes a day.

Over the years, I’ve coached thousands of TEDx speakers, business leaders, and creators.
And the ones who improve fastest?
They practice storytelling, daily.

Here are 4 quick storytelling exercises that completely change how you speak and connect.

How to become a magnetic storyteller

For the past 3 years, I’ve had an incredible coach in my life:

Tsviya (TSIKKI) Thau.

She’s helped me grow my business, heal past wounds, and come home to myself in ways I never expected.

Today, she released her new book: Attract It All.
I’ve had a sneak peek and it’s beautiful, powerful, and so needed.

If you’re on a personal growth journey, this book might change something for you too.

Link in the comments.

What’s the one theme you want to live by next year?

Not a resolution.
Not a goal.
A guiding principle.

I’ve been thinking about mine a lot  and one line kept coming back to me:

“I can handle that.”

This year taught me something uncomfortable but liberating:

Most problems aren’t actually problems.
It’s the fear around them that drains us.

The missed flight isn’t the issue. It's the panic that you’ll disappoint someone.

The tough conversation isn’t the issu. It'ss the story that you won’t be able to handle the outcome.

The project falling apart isn’t the issue.
it’s the belief that you’re not capable enough to fix it.

Every time I repeated “I can handle that,” something clicked:

My nervous system calmed down.
The drama dissolved.
And the situation shrank back to its real size.

That sentence does a few simple but powerful things for me:

1. It keeps problems the size they actually are.
No spiraling. No catastrophizing.
2. It brings me back to myself.
From fear → to capability.
From reaction → to choice.
3. It turns every challenge into proof that I’m able to deal with life.
Not perfectly — but fully.

That’s why this theme matters so much to me:
If I truly believe “I can handle that,” then nothing life throws at me feels bigger than I am.

And that’s the mindset I want to carry into the next year.

Your story’s great, until you do this...

Most people think great speakers are born.
They’re not.

They’re made, through tiny, learnable techniques.

Little moves that make your audience lean in, stay with you,
and actually remember what you said.

I recently asked 34 professional speakers:

“What’s one trick you always use when you present?”

The same ideas came up again and again.

So I pulled together 10 of the most powerful techniques, each one simple, practical, and proven to work.

They’ll help you sound sharper, speak clearer,
and make your message land.

👇 Swipe through the carousel to steal them and try one in your next talk. You’ll feel the difference.

10 proven techniques to present with impact

Here’s the #1 Mistake when people tell stories & how to fix it

Imagine watching a war movie.

It opens with a dramatic helicopter shot — the battlefield from above, tanks rolling in, soldiers lining up.
Cool for a moment… but after a few seconds you’re thinking:

“Okay… but where’s the story?”

Then the camera drops into the trenches.

Suddenly you’re with the soldiers.
You hear the explosions.
You see panic, courage, mud, sweat.
You feel something.

That’s when the movie becomes unforgettable.

Now, here’s the problem:

Most people tell stories like they’re stuck in that helicopter.

They give big, vague overviews:
•	“Our team had a big challenge.”
•	“We wanted to improve customer satisfaction.”
•	“It was a tough period for the company.”

That’s the aerial shot.
It’s useful for 3 seconds… then your audience’s attention drifts.

To make stories stick, you need the trenches.

Bring people into the moment:
•	Let them hear the frustrated customer.
•	Let them see the team staring at the whiteboard at 11 pm.
•	Let them feel the tension when the solution finally clicks.

This is what makes your story real, emotional, and memorable.

So, When telling a story, ask yourself:

“Am I flying above the scene… or am I in it?”

If it feels vague, zoom in.
If you’re describing, switch to showing.
If it sounds like a summary, add a moment.

Less helicopter. More trenches.
That’s where stories come alive.

Stop using your “storytelling voice.”

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Philipp Humm

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The Battle

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Philipp Humm

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