CIOs are encouraged to advance beyond merely presenting facts to develop the capability to transform complex technology concepts into engaging narratives, according to Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs and an esteemed storyteller. Speaking at the ETCIO Annual Conclave 2026, Haque asserted that narrative skills are becoming increasingly essential for technology leaders as they engage with boards, investors, and business teams, influencing leadership and decision-making processes.
“No matter which business you are in, once you are in business, storytelling is also your business,” Haque noted. He emphasized that as professionals ascend the organizational hierarchy, technical skills alone are insufficient. Two equally qualified data scientists or technology leaders may perform similarly; however, the individual who can effectively connect data to business impact is more likely to influence decisions and achieve leadership roles.
“Good storytellers are not born. We are all born as storytellers, but to be good at something requires building that muscle,” he remarked. The key implication for CIOs is that while factual information remains vital, it should be woven into a narrative for better recall and impact.
“Human beings remember stories; they forget facts. That does not mean don’t use facts. It means stitch the facts into a narrative,” Haque emphasized. As the role of CIOs evolves from mere technology execution to overarching enterprise leadership, he pointed out the necessity for senior technology leaders to adapt their communication style across different domains, such as technology, finance, and business, according to the audience.
Haque proposed that the effectiveness of communication can be evaluated in two ways: immediate acceptance of an idea and the likelihood that it will be remembered and conveyed to others later. In both scenarios, narratives serve as vehicles for the dissemination of complex ideas.
He also urged CIOs to practice simplifying complexity. Citing the analogy of explaining an aircraft’s black box to an eight-year-old, he highlighted the importance of making technical concepts accessible as a skill vital for leaders aiming to influence varied stakeholders.
The session concluded with Haque’s appeal for CIOs to invest in storytelling as a key leadership asset. As technology increasingly becomes central to business strategy, the capacity to inspire, simplify, and persuade may increasingly shape how CIOs lead enterprise transformation.
With contributions from Sachi Srivastava.
Published On May 21, 2026 at 08:05 PM IST
