How I Became a Storyteller
I stepped on my first real stage on March 8, 2016. ⬇️
I was an Associate Partner at IBM and my boss, Jeff Hood asked me to cover an internal event for him. My assignment was to give a presentation about IBMiX - the then digital agency equivalent at IBM - for some 300 Partners, gathering near worldwide HQ in Armonk, New York to strategize about our industrial sector artificial intelligence offerings.
I knew he was putting me up there to showcase a different part of IBM, one that even our colleagues didn’t know existed as a capability: creativity, strategy and design. I also knew I was going to be completely different from anyone else taking the stage for those 2 days. “This is the epitome of Think, Prepare, Rehearse...” I kept thinking to myself as I got ready for my inaugural speech. Also, 1-3-9 anyone?!
As I thanked everyone for their time and attention at the end of the presentation, I felt it: good and essential. What I didn’t know was that this moment would alter the course of my career, and life.
During the coffee break that followed my presentation, I experienced my first equivalent of a stage-side lead: the moment right after the presentation when audience members approach to the speaker to inquire further. See Jeff knew exactly what he was doing: he was putting me, an up-and-comer AP, on stage, to help me build my $2M business. And my brand.
From that moment on, I got to shape narratives, pitch, win and work alongside some of our most strategic accounts’ Client Partners. At brands like Caterpillar, Cisco, Ford, and of course, BMW. In retrospect, my public speaking career was underway.
After my time at IBM, in 2019, I was introduced to Heroic Public Speaking. Upon completing the HPS CORE training, I immediately signed up for the Graduate program. I felt it: I belonged here. I was called to be excellent at this craft and make a deliberate impact with my thoughts, preparation and rehearsals. I started learning something new.
It took me all these years to overcome pandemic difficulties + a great resignation, and a quiet quitting to completely dedicate myself to developing a professional public speaking capability.
It’s a long road, and everyone loves a finish line. Last week, I completed the 7 month intensive graduate program: I wrote, rehearsed and performed my 4-minute reel - the program’s capstone deliverable.
Caroline Trudeau - HPS Graduate and Award Winner.
Today, the art of using stories is key to communicate, affect and connect with customers, employees, clients and communities. To how we build relationships with each other. To how we solve problems and innovate together. After all, we are more alike than different.
I am now available to help leaders looking to use stories as a differentiating boost to create emotional connection with their audiences.
Contact me to learn more.