Today’s episode is with Soundari Mukherjea, CEO of Soundbytes11, who is originally from India but now calls Hong Kong her home.
As the CEO of Soundbytes11, an organisational consultancy, she focuses on working with leaders and teams to harness the power of storytelling to drive business outcomes. Her expertise spans various domains, including change management, personal branding, cross-cultural intelligence and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Storytelling As A Leadership Tool
Soundari’s philosophy revolves around the belief that leadership requires a diverse set of tools with storytelling standing out as a powerful instrument. Her mission is to equip leaders with this tool, allowing them to connect with others effectively, influence action and bridge the gap between strategy and understanding.
Her journey started in India – she grew up in Chennai and had an exciting career with Lipton and ANZ Grindlays. However, it was her husband’s career path that took them as a family to Bahrain in the Middle East and from there onwards, to Hong Kong where her family has been for the past 17 years.
After years of honing her skills in the corporate arena, Soundari transitioned to entrepreneurship, driven by an intrinsic excitement for challenge and change.
Soundari believes that business leaders must recognize the value of employing various strategies and storytelling stands out as a compelling tool to foster engagement and connection. The goal is not to turn everyone into literary giants like J.K. Rowling but rather to equip leaders with a tool that enables them to connect effectively, influencing action and aligning people with strategic goals that might otherwise seem abstract.
Changing Mindsets With Stories
At the heart of Soundari’s philosophy is the belief that changing someone’s mind isn’t achieved through presenting another idea but through the influence of a compelling story. Understanding people’s motivations becomes crucial, allowing leaders to communicate effectively and bridge gaps in understanding. Mukherjea stressed the importance of communication, stating that it plays a critical role in helping individuals achieve small wins and garner the necessary buy-in for successful implementation.
Cultivating A Personal Brand
Soundari also touched upon the importance of personal branding, urging business professionals to carefully consider how they introduce themselves and how they want to be remembered in a professional context. She encouraged individuals to try different things, emphasizing the importance of being brave and exploring various avenues, such as taking on a teaching role for a month.
Beyond her professional insights, Soundari also shared personal strategies that contribute to her success. She discussed the concept of a personal board of directors, a group of individuals who provide guidance, support and diverse perspectives. Additionally, she highlighted the significance of engaging in sports and hobbies, citing her involvement in activities such as table tennis and pottery.
Her favorite quote, “Traveller, there is no path, the path is made by walking,” from Antonio Machado’s “Border of a Dream: Selected Poems,” reflects her belief in forging one’s path and constantly evolving. When asked about her sources of inspiration, Mukherjea credited those around her, particularly her mother, for their zest for life.
Pottering Around & Being An Artist
For those curious about Mukherjea’s interests beyond the business realm, she revealed a love for pottery, showcasing her pottery creations on her Facebook page (see link below).
In terms of cuisine, she has a penchant for anything vegetarian, with a particular fondness for South Indian delicacies and Indian-Chinese. Her musical tastes span from Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams to M.S. Subbulakshmi and Ilayaraja. As for books, she expressed admiration for a diverse selection, including “Alchemist,” “Factfulness,” and various works by Bill Bryson, as well as “Persepolis.”
Her emphasis on the power of storytelling, coupled with personal anecdotes and a diverse range of passions and interests, reveals an entrepreneur who understands the nuances and impact of effective communication and a well-told story!