AA AlfaBloggers Best Bloggers Team Of Asia : When Leadership Learns to Tell Better Stories

Tuesday, 6 October 2026

When Leadership Learns to Tell Better Stories—and Serve Better

When Leadership Learns to Tell Better Stories—and Serve Better

What happens when senior leaders pause from the usual pace of business and take time to look differently at two essential leadership skills—storytelling and client-centricity?

At EY, two beautifully conducted sessions with Senior Directors and the Leadership Team created exactly that space.

Facilitated by Shiffy Srivastava, Executive Communication & Leadership Coach and Founder & CEO of Improvables Academy®, the sessions focused on two seemingly different capabilities that are, in reality, deeply connected.

The first explored the fundamentals of storytelling—not storytelling as a presentation technique, but as a way to make ideas clearer, more memorable and more human.

The second focused on Client-Centric Mindset—moving beyond simply responding to clients to understanding what they truly value, anticipating their needs and becoming a trusted partner.

What stood out was the way both sessions moved beyond information.

There was reflection.

There was participation.

There were moments of recognition.

And, most importantly, there were practical conversations about what leadership looks like when these ideas are actually applied.

The energy of the Senior Directors and Leadership Team made the sessions particularly meaningful. Experienced leaders brought real situations, perspectives and experiences into the room—turning the learning into a genuine exchange rather than a one-way programme.

Perhaps that is what made the sessions so engaging.

Storytelling asks: Can I make my message matter?

Client centricity asks: Can I make my contribution matter to the client?

Together, they point to a larger leadership capability:

The ability to connect.

Connect with an audience.

Connect with a client.

Connect ideas with action.

And ultimately, connect leadership intent with business impact.

Shiffy Srivastava’s approach reflects a simple philosophy: meaningful development does not begin with a training programme. It begins with the business challenge, the people and the behaviour that needs to change.

At EY, these two sessions demonstrated how powerful that approach can be when experienced leaders are given the space to reflect, experiment and learn from one another.

Because the best leadership sessions don’t end when the room empties.

They leave a trail behind every delivery.

A meaningful session on building people who don’t simply serve clients, but learn to think with them as trusted partners.