Alex Gallafent | Strategic Narrative
Narrative thinking is irreplaceable human intelligence.
I help leaders use it.
“Every exceptional leader has a thought partner supporting and sparring with them to elevate their thinking. The smart ones want Alex in their corner.”
— SVP, Fortune 30
Stories are critical infrastructure.
They carry ideas across teams, moments, and markets. When they're strong, they inspire action, drive growth, and create lasting impact.
But when they fail, trust erodes, momentum stalls, and strategy misfires.
In a more-than-human age of infinite noise, advantage belongs to leaders who shape the essential stories of their business with discernment, intention, and irreducibly human judgment.
How I work
Strategic enquiry.
To identify what matters most for the moment you’re in.
“A conversation with you feels like design. You help me hold complexity in my hand and see it in a new way.”
— SVP, Tech
Narrative craft.
To shape stories that land effectively with your audience.
“Your ability to pull things together into coherence is nothing short of astonishing.”
— Partner, Creative Services Firm
Storytelling coaching.
To build the skills you need to show up on target.
“You helped me deliver the best talk of my career. A masterclass in action.”
— Creative Director, Foundation
Movement design.
To grow narrative capabilities across your organization.
“Alex is a storytelling master. What’s even more impressive is that he elevates the storytelling of others.”
— Chief Design Officer, Global CPG
Creative facilitation.
To help people connect to what matters, and to each other.
“The best facilitator I’ve ever worked with.”
— VP, National Impact Organization
About me
For the last decade, I’ve worked at the renowned design and innovation firm IDEO, where I became its principal storytelling expert and Executive Design Director.
My path winds through philosophy at Oxford, classical theater, and global journalism with the BBC. (More at LinkedIn.)
I’ve been called “a transformational asset”, “a creative acupuncturist”, and “a river of ideas”.
Trusted by leaders and teams across the world.
“Next time, bring Alex in sooner.”
— SVP, Fortune 30
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AARP
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Builders Vision
Conservation International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The Corporate Impact Lab
Design Korea
Dubai Design Lab
Dubai Future Foundation
GBTA Foundation
GirlBoss NZ
Harvard Stem Cell Institute
JUST Capital
Loyola University Chicago
The Museum of Science & Industry
The Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation
Swedish Energy Agency
United Way -
7-Eleven
Amazon
American Express
Autodesk
Exact Sciences
Grupo Proeza
IDEO
IHG Hotels & Resorts
Intercorp
JetBlue
Kimpton Hotels
kyu Pulse
LinkedIn
Logitech
Lupin Pharmaceuticals
Mars
Mastercard
McDonald’s
Meta
Moderna
Nike
Progressive
SC Johnson
Shangri-La Hotels
Sigma Alimentos
YouTube