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The Power of Story: Anna Ong
June 4, 2025
In conversation with Anna Ong – Founder of WYSH – What’s Your Story (huh)? and What’s Your Story Slam
How many can claim to have turned a personal transformation into a global platform for others to shine?
Anna Ong isn’t just a storyteller. She is a community builder, a leadership coach, and an advocate for the power of personal narratives. From a successful finance career to the world of storytelling, her journey has been defined by empathy, conviction, and a relentless belief that every story matters. In this exclusive feature, we explore pivotal reflections from Anna that demonstrate how stories are not only told but lived, felt, and multiplied.
The Moment Anna Felt the Power of Her Own Story
Anna recalls the first time she shared a personal story on stage in New York City. The connection she felt with the audience was profound—she was seen, heard, and understood. That moment catalyzed her realization: her story, though simple, had the ability to resonate and inspire. Years later, this same impact resurfaced at the Cartier Women’s Initiative, where peers reminded her how her narrative had once inspired them. From banking to storytelling, her remarkable journey has been the bridge between personal experience and collective empowerment.
How What’s Your Story Slam (WYSS) Became a Hit
At the heart of WYSS is an extraordinary idea: you don’t need a fantastic or traumatic experience to have a story worth telling. Anna’s platform celebrates everyday moments—from a child saying “I love you” to a clumsy attempt to ask someone out on a date. The beauty, she emphasizes, lies in relatability. By honoring uniquely important moments, WYSS reminds us that change, growth, and humanity are entrenched in our daily lives.
What Holds People Back from Owning the Room
Anna frequently works with leaders that are hesitant to share their stories. Many feel unworthy or fear being awkward. Yet, the higher the reluctance, she believes, the more necessary it is to share. Her coaching method is to shift focus from self-consciousness to service: “Who needs to hear this story?” she asks. Whether it’s a client or a child, stories matter when shared with intent. Even a taxi driver’s tale can move us—and Anna practices what she teaches by sharing such encounters thoughtfully.
Giving Your Work a Voice: Be Heard
Anna challenges the notion that “your work should speak for itself.” In today’s fast-paced environment, she argues that leaders are too preoccupied to notice effort unless something goes wrong. The work doesn’t speak unless you give it a voice—and that voice is yours. Be heard. Through storytelling, professionals make their achievements visible and meaningful.
But it is important to choose the right stage for storytelling. While Anna never doubted that storytelling was her calling, she questioned whether Singapore was the right place. Eventually, she recognized the need to go overseas, building stages in other countries to reach more diverse audiences. The joy and love she felt when first sharing her story convinced her that this path was non-negotiable, even during uncertain times like the pandemic.
Before you tell a story, it is vital that you have the substance for it. Coaching others to tell stories means diving deeper than the version they first present. Anna’s process starts with curiosity and creativity.
She asks:
- What is the story really about?
- What led to this moment?
By cultivating a safe, non-judgmental space, she helps people identify their true narrative and shape it in a way that captures the audience from the very beginning.
Presence as the Foundation of Leadership
Presence, for Anna, is about being in the room—not in your head. Rather than reading a script, true presence is about sensing the room, flowing with the moment and connecting. As a leadership coach, she trains others to read emotions, adapt agendas, and meet people where they are. Presence isn’t about perfection; it’s about resonance.
Listening to diverse stories has reshaped Anna’s view of leadership. She believes vulnerability breeds credibility. Leaders who share not just wins but also failures are more trustworthy. Simplifying language is also critical; the smartest person in the room is one who ensures everyone understands. Effective leadership walks at the pace of the slowest learner.
Despite her accomplishments, Anna admits she sometimes “plays small.” Her future goals include globalizing WYSS and helping more people integrate storytelling into their professional lives. Alongside her collaborator Uma Thana Balasingam, she is creating robust frameworks and tools to help individuals find and tell their stories effectively, even outside the spotlight. “Everyone can tell a story,” she says, “but not everyone can tell it well.”
Storytelling and Philanthropy: A Missed Opportunity
Anna notes that High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and Family offices often shy away from sharing their stories. Yet, if they want to inspire others to align their philanthropic goals and donate, generously and purposefully, stories are essential. Especially for philanthropic ventures, telling the story behind the cause—and those impacted by it—is key to unlocking empathy and, ultimately, generosity. The challenge lies less in telling and more in identifying the story, which should be sensational.
Sustainable Community Building
Building WYSS has been demanding, Anna admits, but it doesn’t sustain itself. Community building requires consistency, engagement, and a presence across platforms—from LinkedIn to WhatsApp to in-person events. Regular shows, emails, and social media engagement are all part of her strategy. Her key learning is to meet the community where they are, not where you wish they’d be.
Anna credits her business school education, specifically her MBA Degree with more than just academic growth. It gave her a powerful network, credibility, and a solid understanding of business challenges. Her first clients came through this network. Despite the ease of accessing information, she believes what can’t be downloaded is the value of real human and emotional connections. And those connections have been instrumental in growing her business and sharing her mission.
Celebrating Six Years of Stories
WYSS turns 6-A storytelling showcase-Tickets
What’s Your Story Slam is turning six in July 2025, and Anna is marking the milestone with a special anniversary event. The “Top Shelf” showcase, taking place on July 8th, will feature winning storytellers from past shows sharing their most memorable stories. Just as the top shelf in a bar holds the most prized spirits, this event celebrates the best of WYSS over the years. For those interested in attending or learning more, Anna is happy to share further details directly.
FREE GUIDE: THE STORY STARTER KIT
For Anna, storytelling is more than a stage performance—it’s a way of living, leading, and building communities. Whether she’s coaching leaders and executives, inspiring women at Cartier, or shaping the next generation of storytellers, Anna is guided by one unshakable belief: your story has power. As WYSS turns six this July with a special anniversary showcase, the movement she started continues to elevate voices and transform lives one authentic story at a time – for Good.
