Episode Description

In this conversation, Soundari shares her journey from a traditional corporate career to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of networking, job sharing, and the gig economy. She discusses her experiences in various roles, the significance of storytelling in business, and how she built a portfolio career that includes consulting, teaching, and mentoring. Soundari emphasizes the need for flexibility in career paths and the value of continuous learning and adaptation. In this conversation, Soundari discusses the significance of storytelling in branding and education, emphasizing the balance between data and human insight. She highlights the importance of context in communication, the necessity of building a personal story bank, and the role of curiosity in effective storytelling. The discussion also covers navigating the sales process through storytelling, balancing personal and professional branding, and adapting to online engagement. Soundari shares practical examples and insights on creating engaging learning environments and the need for constant adaptation in communication styles. In this conversation, Soundari discusses the importance of building connections in consulting, understanding employee motivations, adapting to online engagement, navigating online tools, and the significance of personal branding within organizations. She emphasizes the need for leaders to create a comfortable environment for open communication and the role of technology in enhancing engagement. Additionally, she highlights the importance of storytelling and personal branding for employees to represent their organizations effectively.

Key Takeaways

Education was a priority in my childhood.
Networking is a crucial skill that many overlook.
Job sharing can enhance workplace diversity.
Life is a journey of continuous learning.
Fixing dreams to current abilities limits potential.
Storytelling is essential for effective communication.
Building relationships requires intentional effort.
Flexibility in career paths leads to fulfillment.
Embrace discomfort as part of the growth process.
The human mind learns best through stories. Storytelling builds trust and enhances brand identity.
Effective communication requires understanding your audience's level.
Data alone is insufficient; human insights are crucial.
A personal story bank enriches communication.
Curiosity drives better storytelling and understanding.
Analogies simplify complex concepts for better comprehension.
Sales success hinges on relatable storytelling.
Personal branding requires setting clear boundaries.
Engagement strategies must adapt to online formats.
Flexibility in communication style is essential for connection. Building connections is crucial in consulting.
Understanding employee motivations can drive engagement.
Adapting to online platforms requires experimentation.
Personal branding is essential for employees in organizations.
Technology should enhance, not dictate, the engagement experience.
Storytelling is a practiced skill that can be developed.
Creating a comfortable environment fosters open communication.
Small changes can significantly impact employee satisfaction.
Continuous learning and adaptation are key in a digital world.
Organizations should encourage employees to showcase their expertise.

Meet Our Guest

Soundari Mukherjea is an Organisational Consultant and a Business Storytelling Coach. She helps leaders and teams create engagement and organisational commitment through power of storytelling, thus be “human” at the workplace. With over 30 years experience in the areas of Finance, Operations, Banking and Entrepreneurship with Unilever, ANZ, her firm TSol and in the new avatar, Soundbytes11, in Hong Kong, Middle East and India, Soundari has an insider’s view on the challenges that organisations and teams face and this drives her passion while working on consulting and capability building projects. She has worked with various Banks, Consulting firms, HKIHRM, Law firms, Women’s organisations, PMI HK, Relocation agents, HBS IRC, Fashion Houses, OUHK, HKUST Business School AA, EOC etc on Behavioural skills programs She has run programs for organisations on Business Storytelling, Personal Branding - Online and Oine, Thriving in the New Normal,Networking, Enabling a Future Fit Workforce, Overcoming Unconscious Bias, Cross Cultural Intelligence, Responsible Leadership etc. Soundari has participated in various conferences around Business Storytelling, Culture Building, Panels around Leadership, Future of Work, Unconscious Bias, Diversity & Inclusion etc and is a mentor in multiple Women’s and NGO platforms. She is a Visiting Faculty at IIM Kozhikode, Plaksha University & Shoolini University. She was the honorary speaker at the School of Business, UPES, Dehradun, the MS PhD Communication prog. at IIT, Bombay, AIMA etc. Soundari is passionate about working with the Startup ecosystem. She has organised programs to help women explore opportunities during the course of transition, across locations and careers. Soundari has a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, is a Qualified Cost and Works Accountant and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from a Premier Business School in India (IIMC). She recently completed a Women on Boards program through Aspire for Her in association with AWE US and US Consulate Mumbai). When she is not working with clients, chatting with her children/family/friends or reading books, you will find her at the tennis court or working on a pottery wheel.