FICCI FLO, under the leadership of 43rd National President, Ms. Puja Garg, successfully hosted an engaging and insightful workshop titled “Own the Room: A Workshop on Building Presence through Storytelling” on April 30, 2026, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
Curated under the Lifeskills Initiative, led by Poonam Bafna, Day Chair and Lead – Health, Wellness & Lifeskills, along with Samina Khorakiwala, Co-Lead – Health, Wellness & Lifeskills, the session aimed to equip members with essential tools to enhance communication, build confidence, and develop a strong personal presence.
The workshop was conducted by Mr. Takesh Singh, a renowned Public Speaking and Camera Facing Coach with over 23 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. He has worked on acclaimed projects such as The Tashkent Files, Bombay Begums, and Manto, and has trained CXOs and senior leaders across leading global organisations, including Google, Amazon, YouTube, Vivo, and Ericsson.
The session focused on the power of storytelling as a leadership and communication tool, emphasising that true presence is built through emotional connection, clarity of message, and authenticity. Mr. Singh highlighted that impactful public speaking is not about perfection, but about presence, the ability to connect with the audience and leave a lasting impression.
Key Learnings & Takeaways
- Storytelling as a Leadership Skill
Participants learned how to transform facts into compelling, relatable narratives, using personal experiences to engage, influence, and inspire.
- The Formula for Impactful Stories: Emotion + Contrast + Sensory Detail = Powerful Storytelling
Stories resonate when they evoke emotion, create contrast, and allow the audience to visualise and experience the narrative.
- Executive Presence & Delivery
The session covered essential elements of communication, including tone, subtext, voice modulation, pronunciation, body language, and audience engagement techniques.
- Voice & Delivery Techniques
Mr. Singh highlighted the distinction between intonation (variation in pitch and tone to convey emotion) and enunciation (clarity of pronunciation), emphasising that both are critical for effective communication. He stressed that how something is said can significantly influence how it is received.
- The Power of Pauses
He underscored the importance of well-timed pauses as a powerful communication tool—allowing key ideas to land, creating emphasis, building anticipation, and giving the audience time to absorb and reflect on the message.
- Internalisation Over Memorisation
A key insight from the session was the importance of internalising ideas rather than memorising scripts, enabling speakers to communicate with confidence, fluidity, and authenticity
- The Value of Reading & Writing
Mr. Singh emphasised that consistent reading and writing are foundational to becoming a strong communicator. Reading expands vocabulary, perspective, and narrative depth, while writing sharpens clarity of thought and helps structure ideas more effectively.
- Actionable Tools
Mr. Takesh Singh introduced the following actionable tools to members:
- Crafting strong opening hooks.
- Using eye contact effectively to build a connection.
- Leveraging body language and movement.
- Structuring clear and compelling messages.
Elevator Pitch Exercise For FLO Members
A key highlight of the session was the elevator pitch exercise, where participants introduced themselves using storytelling techniques. This hands-on activity enabled members to immediately apply their learnings, refine their messaging, and build confidence in a supportive environment.
Impact & Outcome
The workshop saw enthusiastic participation from 31 FLO members, including corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. It provided them with practical, actionable insights to strengthen their communication skills, enhance executive presence, and build greater confidence in public speaking.
At the conclusion of the session, participants were awarded certificates in recognition of their participation and commitment to personal and professional development.