Down with Fluff: Executive Storytelling in the AI Era - with Anuneha Mewawalla

I think it's fair to say that most of us in communications and marketing, at one point or another (and probably recently), have been accused of the most awful, terrible thing: committing fluff. It can happen anytime, but usually when we talk about the mysterious arts of messaging, writing, brand identity, and almost anything creative. I think it's happened most often in my career when I've mentioned the most misunderstood five-letter word in our lexicon: story. I mean, I get it - when someone hears "story" they think about fairy tales, novels, movie plots, and so on. But a story is the Amazon Same-Day Delivery option for transmitting messages to another human being: it's efficient, fast, and dependable. It's about time for story - and the science of storytelling - to be permanently released from the fluff zone and given its due. In this episode of The Trending Communicator, join host Dan Nestle as he welcomes former journalist, CCO, and now strategic communications advisor Anuneha Mewawalla, founder of Lexato Consulting and a leading expert in executive storytelling and AI integration. Anuneha shares her journey from a TV news anchor to a strategic communications leader, offering insights into the power of narrative in the corporate world. Together, they discuss why facts alone aren't enough to connect with audiences. All the elements we must communicate need to be delivered in a compelling, memorable way. That's why storytelling is increasingly important for executives, and why it's becoming a vital tool for leaders to connect with stakeholders and build trust. Anuneha emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal narratives in shaping a leader's brand. She shares compelling examples of how leaders can effectively invite stakeholders into their vision, fostering engagement and trust. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in enhancing storytelling through personalization, real-time adaptation, and content optimization. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the future of executive storytelling, including the essential skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. From empathy and emotional intelligence to mastering AI tools and embracing multimodal storytelling, Anuneha outlines the key competencies for communicators of tomorrow. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge on leveraging storytelling and AI to elevate your communication strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's leading voices and discover how you can harness the power of narrative to drive meaningful connections and business success. Listen in and hear about... The critical role of executive storytelling in building trust and conveying organizational vision. How authenticity and personal narratives enhance leadership communication. The impact of AI on executive storytelling, offering enhanced personalization and content optimization. Strategies for maintaining trust and credibility in a divided social landscape. The importance of a strong executive presence on LinkedIn for business visibility and engagement. Key skills for future storytellers, including empathy, AI mastery, and data-driven creativity. The evolving landscape of communication, emphasizing the balance between technology and human insight.   Notable Quotes On the Essence of Storytelling: "I think my love affair with storytelling dates back to my time in the newsroom as a news reporter and as a television news anchor, bearing that responsibility to represent different sides of the story, to bring those stories, those stories that matter, to really be the one to sniff out, you know, stories in the most unlikely, unexpected places." — Anuneha Mewawalla [03:42 - 04:02] On the Role of Storytelling in Leadership: "A story is not the facts of which it is composed or the points of which it is composed. A story is the composition." — Dan Nestle [05:25 - 05:53] On Executive Storytelling: "Executive storytelling is absolutely foundational. It is not just one other tactic, one other channel. It is the strategic backbone that shapes how leaders communicate their vision, their values, their impact, and it's also how they are perceived." — Anuneha Mewawalla [05:54 - 06:15] On Authentic Leadership: "What it comes down to is authenticity. I think it's the willingness to be personal. Because when you're personal, when you are willing to share a little bit more about that person, the values, the leadership values, the mindsets, the philosophies behind whoever your, whatever your title is, the likelihood that you come across as real and relatable is that much higher." — Anuneha Mewawalla [11:46 - 12:16] On the Power of Personal Stories: "Working with the, you know, one of the C suite executives at a major tech company, you know, him being willing to share with the organization as part of all hands meetings, what are their top five leadership values. But really each of them was associated with a story. Either a story that was a struggle, a failure, or something that propelled them forward." — Anuneha Mewawalla [12:47 - 13:17] On Engaging Employees: "When you get it right, when you get executive storytelling right, when they are, in fact, inviting stakeholders to join them in a journey to understand the why behind their sort of persuading you and, you know, getting you to understand why. There is, you know, there's. There's a joint purpose. There's a mutual purpose at stake here. Amazing things can happen." — Anuneha Mewawalla [16:22 - 16:53] On the Importance of Authenticity: "Being authentic doesn't mean that you have to tell every single personal story all the time. It doesn't mean that you have to share everything, but it does mean that what you do tell has to be real." — Dan Nestle [25:24 - 25:55] On Leadership Presence on LinkedIn: "A strong executive presence on LinkedIn is fundamentally important in today's day and age. And I think what the numbers are also telling us is that in our digital first world today, a leader's brand on LinkedIn, a leader's personal brand on LinkedIn has become just, you know, inextricably linked to their company's broader visibility and the company's broader brand." — Anuneha Mewawalla [29:17 - 32:14] On AI and Executive Storytelling: "AI can deliver benefits in four key areas. When it comes to executive storytelling, I think it's certainly not replacing executive storytelling as we know it. It's amplifying it in these four ways." — Anuneha Mewawalla [41:15 - 42:18] On the Future of Storytelling: "Empathy and EQ would be number one. Second would be mastery in working with AI tools. Three will be multimodal storytelling. Four would be data driven creativity. Five is going to be growth mindset." — Anuneha Mewawalla [55:06 - 58:01]   Resources and Links Dan Nestle Inquisitive Communications | Website The Trending Communicator | Website Communications Trends from Trending Communicators | Dan Nestle's Substack Dan Nestle | LinkedIn Dan Nestle | Twitter Anuneha Mewawalla Anuneha Mewawalla | LinkedIn Lexato Consulting    Timestamped key moments from this episode (as generated by Fireflies.ai) 🎤 Executive Storytelling Importance (00:14 - 01:20) Communicators play a crucial role in preparing leaders to effectively convey their organization's story. Leaders must excel at storytelling to build trust and connect with audiences. 📖 Anuneha Mewawalla's Background (01:35 - 02:20) Anuneha Mewawalla has extensive experience in journalism and corporate communications. She founded Lexato Consulting, focusing on executive brand strategy and storytelling. 📊 Defining Storytelling (05:22 - 08:34) Storytelling is about creating meaningful connections through narrative, not just sharing facts. Effective executive storytelling invites stakeholders into the leader's worldview and builds trust. 💡 Authenticity in Leadership (11:01 - 14:32) Authenticity and personal storytelling are essential for leaders to connect with employees. Anuneha shared examples of leaders who effectively used personal narratives to enhance credibility and trust. 🌍 Navigating Social Issues (20:29 - 25:24) Leaders must balance authenticity with the need to address diverse social issues within their workforce. Staying grounded in company values is essential for effective communication during challenging times. 🔍 AI's Role in Storytelling (34:01 - 42:09) AI can enhance executive storytelling through personalization, adaptation, content optimization, and multimedia integration. AI should be viewed as a tool to amplify human storytelling, not replace it. 📈 Future Skills for Storytellers (55:02 - 58:01) Five essential skills for future storytellers include: Empathy and emotional intelligence Mastery of AI tools Multimodal storytelling capabilities Data-driven creativity Growth mindset to adapt to new technologies 🔑 Final Thoughts on AI and Storytelling (1:06:04 - 1:07:30) AI will transform communications, and professionals should embrace its potential to enhance storytelling. Urged colleagues to build an AI mindset and leverage technology for better communication outcomes.   Timestamps for your convenience (as generated by Flowsend.ai) 0:00 Intro 5:22 Defining Storytelling 11:45 Inviting Stakeholders 17:21 Leadership and Engagement 25:24 Navigating Social Issues 32:14 LinkedIn Presence 41:14 AI and Trust 49:46 Storytelling Frameworks 55:06 Future of Storytelling 1:02:17 AI and Storytelling 1:09:20 Closing Remarks   (Notes co-created by Human Dan and a variety of AI helpers, including Fireflies.ai and Flowsend.ai)