Keynotes

Storytelling is fundamental to personal and professional growth. It offers catharsis, allowing individuals to process experiences and be heard. This, in turn, enhances employee wellbeing and creates a culture where people feel valued. When businesses encourage storytelling, they foster environments of psychological safety, where employees are more engaged, creative, and motivated.ew insights, break through creative blocks, and enhance decision-making.

Encouraging a culture of curiosity and reflection helps businesses adapt, innovate, and thrive. Leaders will learn practical ways to integrate storytelling into their organisations, using it as a tool for problem-solving and strategic clarity. When people are given the freedom to explore their thoughts without constraints, they are more likely to generate fresh perspectives and actionable solutions.

  • Storytelling is fundamental to personal and professional growth. It offers catharsis, allowing individuals to process experiences and be heard. This, in turn, enhances employee wellbeing and creates a culture where people feel valued. When businesses encourage storytelling, they foster environments of psychological safety, where employees are more engaged, creative, and motivated.

    This section draws on my PhD research, which explores how taking ownership of personal narratives can improve mental and emotional wellbeing. Encouraging employees to share their stories strengthens workplace relationships, builds trust, and enhances communication. Leaders will gain practical strategies to cultivate a storytelling culture, helping their teams feel more confident in speaking up and contributing.

  • Inclusion is not just about inviting people into a space - it is about ensuring they feel like they belong.

    Drawing from my work with asylum seekers and refugees, this section examines how the way we ask for stories dictates how they are told. When stories are treated as currency rather than as personal truths, they can become distorted, leading to misrepresentation and harm.

    Businesses that prioritise genuine storytelling create cultures where diverse perspectives are truly valued. This section offers an anti-racist, inclusive, and empathetic approach to leadership, helping organisations develop meaningful engagement with underrepresented voices. Attendees will gain insights into how to foster an environment where people feel seen, respected, and empowered to contribute.

  • Creativity is a vital part of business strategy, yet many professionals struggle to articulate their thoughts clearly. This section explores the power of writing and stream-of-consciousness thinking as a tool for unlocking ideas and refining strategy. By creating space for free expression, individuals and teams can develop new insights, break through creative blocks, and enhance decision-making.

    Encouraging a culture of curiosity and reflection helps businesses adapt, innovate, and thrive. Leaders will learn practical ways to integrate storytelling into their organisations, using it as a tool for problem-solving and strategic clarity. When people are given the freedom to explore their thoughts without constraints, they are more likely to generate fresh perspectives and actionable solutions.

Example Keynotes

Workshops

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful organization, and our tailored training sessions and workshops are designed to help teams develop and strengthen these skills. These programs focus on practical strategies such as active listening, fostering mutual understanding, and improving clarity in both verbal and written communication.

By addressing specific workplace challenges and team dynamics, these workshops empower employees to connect authentically, collaborate more effectively, and resolve conflicts constructively.

Organizations that invest in communication training not only improve internal relationships but also enhance overall performance, employee engagement, and customer interactions, driving both individual and collective success.

  • This workshop focuses on the role of storytelling in shaping workplace culture, fostering engagement, and driving innovation. Participants will explore the psychological and emotional benefits of storytelling, learning how personal and collective narratives enhance trust and collaboration. The session begins with an introduction to the power of storytelling in business, highlighting how it can improve employee wellbeing and organisational resilience.

  • This session explores how storytelling can foster inclusive workplaces where diverse voices are valued and heard. Participants will examine the power dynamics of storytelling, learning how the way stories are asked for and received can shape their meaning. The workshop provides practical tools for ethically amplifying voices within business contexts, ensuring that storytelling is not extractive or tokenistic. By the end of the session, participants will have identified three concrete ways to integrate inclusive storytelling into their workplace.

  • This workshop explores how storytelling can unlock creativity, improve problem-solving, and enhance strategic decision-making.

    Participants will learn about the connection between storytelling and cognitive flexibility, discovering how writing and reflection can lead to greater clarity in business strategy.

    By the end of the workshop, attendees will have developed a personal storytelling practice to integrate into their work, helping them generate fresh perspectives and more effective business solutions.

Undertow offers confidential listening sessions aimed at enhancing psychological safety and improving employee wellbeing. These sessions create a safe and supportive environment where employees can openly share their thoughts, experiences, and concerns without fear of judgment or reprisal.

By providing this space, organizations can gain valuable insights into the needs and challenges of their workforce while fostering trust and inclusion.

Psychological safety is a critical factor in employee satisfaction and productivity, and these sessions help build a culture of openness and respect, encouraging individuals to feel valued, supported, and connected within their workplace.s

Listening sessions

Chapbooks

At Undertow we believe that the practice of writing is hugely worthwhile in and of itself even if it is only read by its writer. But there is also something to be said for the achievement of having your work printed in a book you can hold. And it’s a pleasure to share these books.

So for those who’d like to work towards a point of polishing and sharing their work, we are also able to publish chapbooks. Chapbooks can be the product of a series of workshops made by collating and editing the work made in sessions. They can also be put together exclusively through a collection of mentoring relationships. Many come about as the result of a bit of both.

As well as chapbooks, we’ve worked with businesses who’ve chosen to produce a series of podcast stories. Whichever way is best for you, we are here to support you as editors.

Book Your Session

Feel free to contact us via email or fill out our contact form to discuss the details for you workshop, talk or event.

kat@withtheundertow.com