Connie Kwan is the CEO of 4Storyteller, where she helps leaders tell their stories. As a former product executive, she worked with companies like Microsoft, Atlassian, and six product startups. Connie has crafted and delivered thousands of stories to investors and boards to set company visions and motivate teams. She has spoken on stages at Cornell University, the Product Management Festival, and Google Tech Talk.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [3:02] How Connie Kwan began researching the art of storytelling
- [8:25] What are the four types of storytellers?
- [10:06] Examples of stories that resonate with audiences
- [14:18] Connie shares an anecdote of a champion storyteller in action
- [18:37] The genesis of Nobody Studios
- [22:14] Why Connie launched the AmplifyHer network
- [32:55] Advice for reaching your audience through storytelling
- [34:48] Connie talks about her leadership style
In this episode...
Many women are stuck in the Smurfette paradigm, where they compete with other women for a single leadership position in a male-dominated organization. Yet as more women fight for a seat at the table, amplifying each other’s voices becomes increasingly vital. How can you encourage women to find their voice and stand out?
Master storyteller Connie Kwan has identified four storytelling methods to help women amplify their reach and carve a niche for themselves. The champion and sage storytellers reach their audiences through emotional connections, whereas visionary and professor storytellers use logic to convince their audiences. Identifying your and your audience’s storytelling methods allows you to craft a message that conveys your needs while resonating with your audience.
In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Connie Kwan, the CEO of 4Storyteller, about how women can hone their storytelling techniques. Connie describes the psychological aspects of effective communication, how she leads like a woman, and her mission to amplify women’s voices.
Quotable Moments:
- Where I started in engineering, storytelling was not part of the curriculum.”
- “Knowing what to ignore is when you’ll start being really great.”
- “Collaboration and the ability to bring all voices together, even when they’re sitting around different corners, is key.”
- “The power of rising together is learned when we understand there are multiple seats at the table for women.”
- “My superpower is helping managers become story-led leaders.”
Action Steps:
- Take a quiz to find your storyteller type: This allows individuals to understand their natural storytelling predispositions, enabling better alignment with their audience’s expectations.
- Craft your “why you?” story: A compelling personal story tied to your mission garners investor faith and resilience during challenging times.
- Practice collaborative storytelling: Collaborative environments enhance narrative richness and ensure multiple perspectives are considered, leading to more inclusive decision-making.
- Embrace the raw shared mindset: Sharing ideas in their nascent stages invites early collaboration and feedback that’s essential for innovation and growth.
- Support and amplify others: Amplifying colleagues’ and peers’ successes fosters a culture of mutual support and advancement, which is particularly crucial for marginalized voices.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.
They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.
To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.