POINT made: The power of storytelling
"I have worked on a number of teams, but I’ve never experienced the kind of connection and breakthrough that I did here. Our team was already high-performing -- but this workshop took us to the next level.” -- Leslie Koby, VP, Pfizer US Pain Franchise
As the Vice President of Pfizer’s US Pain Franchise, Leslie Koby’s team is tasked with communicating the value of some of the organization’s most impactful pain management medicines. There are millions of patients suffering from unresolved pain; for Leslie and her team, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Pfizer turned to Speechless to learn how to tell compelling, authentic stories that keep patients at the center of the narrative.
Challenge: Wrap data in a story that grabs people
Leslie’s team is full of high-performing analysts, marketers, and researchers who know Pfizer’s products inside and out -- all they needed were the tools to amplify their authentic, individual voices. Pfizer had three goals:
Gain new storytelling tools
Learn to adapt in the moment while presenting
Give and receive more constructive feedback on presentations
Luckily, one of Pfizer’s long-time leadership consultants connected Leslie with Speechless. “I had seen Speechless in action, and knew that the content was rigorous and inspiring,” said Pfizer leadership coach Ellen Wingard. “The real impact of Pfizer’s work is highlighted in its patient stories and purpose-driven culture. We worked with Speechless to create an experience that would help the team live those values.”
Solution: Focus on connection, not perfection
Speechless worked with Pfizer to develop a custom, improv thinking-based curriculum to achieve their desired outcomes in a fun and memorable way. Through science-backed exercises, Speechless helped the team hone crucial skills including:
Improving spontaneity and authenticity while presenting
Humanizing company stories
Structuring presentations as a narrative
Connecting individual passions with company mission
Giving constructive, collaborative feedback that encourages growth
Over the course of six, full-day workshops, (one per 20-person leadership team) Pfizer’s team grew from reciting memorized talking points to incorporating their unique perspectives and passions into stories that transformed the room. “Speechless showed us that the most effective storytelling tool is to bring yourself into it; to show who you are authentically and to make people care,” said Leslie. “It was a wake-up call to keep our humanity front and center.”
Mic Drop Moment: From *crickets* to Cricket!
The lesson hit home home during a Speechless session with Leslie’s leadership team peers were asked to describe their role at Pfizer. In the middle of one colleague’s presentation, Speechless facilitator Anthony Veneziale stopped him and asked, "what are you really passionate about?"
The colleague paused. "I really love cricket,” he said. "Okay,” said Anthony, “tell me how your work is like cricket." Suddenly, a lightbulb went on. In a moment, he was connecting two completely different, complex topics effortlessly and passionately. “You could see him light up,” Leslie recalled. “It flipped from a cookie-cutter response to an incredibly engaging and fascinating story about his work. It was completely riveting. I won't forget it.”
Speechless’ work with Pfizer wasn’t just a band-aid solution: “The feedback I got from my team was incredible,” Leslie said. “They gained career-changing skills that they’ll carry with them for years to come. I couldn’t have scripted a better response.” Since working with Leslie, Speechless has broadened its collaboration with Pfizer to include 1-1 coaching for executives and even more workshops for teams. Ultimately, for Pfizer’s US Pain Franchise, this success story is just the beginning.
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