" I Want to Be the Change I Want to See in Others"

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1. Tell us more about what you do and what led you to speak on this platform.

I am a professional storyteller, story coach, educator, and performing artist. With a Masters Degree in Psychology, I have over 14 years of experience in the field of Learning and Development.

I have worked as a behavioral coach in the areas of Leadership, Team Building, Effective Communication Skills, Body language, Transactional Analysis, and Theatre. I am the co-founder of KATHA CORNER.

Started in 2014, Katha Corner operates as an experiential learning program for children. Currently associated with Scholastic India Ltd, Bangalore, and Bangalore Storytelling Society (BSS). I am privileged to be featured on Eat My News, as it is a wonderful initiative by young minds to put together a community-driven media and learning platform.

2. How do you chose and prepare for a talk?

Being a storyteller, I always enjoy starting with a story or a parable that catches the attention of the listener as everyone loves stories. I believe stories are the shortest distance between two people once you can connect with your audience through stories you are halfway there.

I ensure that my talk has the required elements of exposition, the rising action, climax, and resonance. I enjoy giving a holistic experience to the audience. Needless to say that one needs to capture all the details depending on the topic at hand and make it relevant.

3. How can one become a public speaker?

Public speaking is an art and also a skill that can be learned with practice. It starts with proper planning with stories and quotes to engage the audience. Body language plays a huge role in holding the attention of the listeners.

Watching the recording of ace speakers will give several tips and ideas for preparation. Also, record yourself giving a speech and watch it back. You need to develop fresh, relevant content that people want to hear.

Invest a lot of time into thinking about your message and how you can deliver it in a way that will inspire, motivate, and captivate your audience.

4. Can motivational speaking become a full-time career?

Motivational speakers are influencing and inspiriting. Their messages are meant to inspire, motivate, inform, advise, and benefit listeners. In my opinion, one can make a career out of motivational speaking as their knowledge and serves will be required in educational institutions, corporate sectors, etc.

However, it is very important to sharpen your skills and keep yourself abreast with the current affairs. Marketing oneself also becomes the key to developing a career in motivational speaking

5. Which is your favorite talk ever and how did it change your life?

The psychology of self-motivation | Scott Geller | TEDxVirginiaTech. This is one of my favorite talks. It gives us several insights about self-efficacy, response efficacy, and our behavior and response patterns to any situation.

The inspirational talk laced with poem and story enunciates the entire learning very metaphorically. The role of consequences, choice, and community support resonates with me.

6. What are the best public speaking tips that have worked for you?

Some tips that I always follow are

Practice/ Be prepare

Write down key points

Prepare a relevant parable / quote/ story

Make an effort to know your audience

Engage/interact with the audience

Smart dressing sets the stage

Adopt positive body language

Work on your voice

Keep a smile and enjoy yourself

7. What impact do you want to make in the world?

I would like to see this world as a happy and peaceful place for everyone. It is everybody's responsibility to contribute back to the community and stand up for the causes we all care about.

I would be happy to engage in random acts of kindness which create a great positive impact. Finally, I want to be the change I want to see in others.

8. Which is your favorite book and why?

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. This book is loosely based on the author’s life, an armed robber, and a heroin addict from Australia who escaped prison and came to live in Bombay, India. This novel explores various sides of a person’s life love, happiness, friendship, pain, laughter, and regret.

To me, the book teaches you how it is always your decision to start over, how to atone for your mistakes you need to forgive yourself first, come to peace with yourself and accept everything coming your way with compassion. You need to learn to let go to keep moving forward.

Shantaram is bold, lyrical, and philosophical. This book has changed the way I look at the world

- Ramya Srinidhi, Public Speaker

- Interviewed by Khushi Badrinath

- Edited by Shilpy Sharan