Embracing Authenticity: A Recap of Our Stories Chapter III

In the bustling halls of our Nepal office, June 21, 2024 marked a special event — “Our Stories Chapter III.” What started as a platform to connect with peers by sharing accounts of bravery and courage has now become a cherished tradition in its third year, fostering a sense of togetherness through the power of storytelling.

With five internal storytellers and a guest speaker, the evening unfolded as a testament to bravery in the face of vulnerabilities. SecurityPal embodies the culmination of individual narratives that are now a part of everyone connected to the organization.

Setting the stage: Behind the scenes

With soft ambient lights filling the room and the stage adorned with giant letters spelling out “Our Stories” — there was a lot that went into making this event happen.

We were joined by Prashanta Manandhar, founder of Storytellers, who shared his expertise in the art of storytelling. Throughout the event, he mentored 38 people to nurture and cultivate their storytelling skills.

Sumee Adhikari, one of the storytellers, reflects on how everyone has a story to tell and how the right mentor can help identify and deliver it with depth. Under Prashanta’s guidance, the group learned various powerful techniques, including setting up themes and scenarios, crafting impactful conversations, adding multiple layers to the story, taking the right pauses, and keeping the audience engaged.

Mentorship from Prashanta Manandhar Sir was very helpful for me as I am someone who is a very fast speaker in general. During our mentorship sessions, he provided me with good feedback which I implemented, and I can see myself speaking at a slower pace even in my day-to-day life which has helped me so much. I am very grateful for this opportunity as those mentorships and preparations I did helped me learn so much.

- Sumee Adhikari, Storyteller

Key highlights from Chapter III

As we gathered in the dimly-lit hall, an air of anticipation filled the space. Five internal speakers stepped into the spotlight, each with a story that has left a deep impression in their lives. The hall buzzed with emotions as speakers recounted their life-changing experiences, personal loss, and triumphs.

Their narratives shed a new light on the very stories that make up the SecurityPal team — revealing resilience, strength, and humanity at the core of our company culture.

This story was within me for the past 6 - 7 years. Getting a platform to share my story was a very pleasant experience. It was a place where I could share my words without being judged. It allowed me to feel my true self and develop knowledge of public speaking, which helped me both personally and professionally.

- Arun Baniya, Storyteller

We invited Chandani Ghimire, the co-founder of Vaav wellbeing, as a guest speaker. Overcoming personal challenges in her youth, Chandani pursued her path to becoming a certified psychologist. For the last couple of years, she has been organizing workshops through Vaav in different schools and colleges throughout Kathmandu, empowering young students with emotional intelligence.

I'm grateful for the platform that empowers voices like mine. Together, these stories can make a real difference. Thank you, SecurityPal, for creating a platform that fosters a space where everyone can learn and leverage from the valuable experiences of others.

- Chandani Ghimire, Guest Storyteller

From the announcement three months ago to the final day, the organizing team immersed in intense preparations. They organized weekly story drafting sessions and engaging internal activities to build anticipation, leading up to the final day. As the event unfolded, it brought moments of both laughter and a few tears, creating a truly memorable experience for all.

One of the most rewarding aspects of organizing "Our Stories" was witnessing colleagues who rarely had opportunities for meaningful conversations, support each other and form new bonds. As I reflect on Our Stories - Chapter III, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to facilitate an event that celebrates authenticity, empathy, and connection.

- Asmita Joshi, Organizing team

The power of storytelling and culture

Storytelling isn’t only about finding the right words to say and putting them together. Stories have the power to evoke emotions and create deeper connections with peers. This is especially relevant in the workplace, where we’re mostly engaged with analytical decisions and professional conversations.

At SecurityPal, one of our core values is, “We are people, not machines.” This concept came to life with Our Stories Chapter III. By creating a safe space for vulnerability, Our Stories invites us to see beyond titles and tasks, fostering empathy and enriching our collective narrative. This platform truly allows us to appreciate the differences and empathize with the speakers’ experiences.

The emotional connection you build with someone through stories will definitely affect the weight of your words outside personal conversations. I was able to talk to the founder of the storytellers Nepal and the co-founder of Vaav— you don't meet these people just about anywhere. Talking to these people broadens your perspective on how different brains operate

- Avin Guruacharya, Storyteller

Before Our Stories, Drabid Subedi, one of the storytellers, wondered if he even had a story that was worth sharing and what people might think if he did share one. Fear and excitement swirled in his mind as he stepped on the stage. But after sharing his story, he felt at ease — almost as if a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

My heart felt lighter, my head felt heavy, and my eyes were blurry. Everything just felt numb. But after "Our Stories," the letters of appreciation I received, and people reaching out to share how my story resonated with theirs, made me incredibly happy. I felt part of a bigger team, more alive, and deeply connected with others. Seeing how my story resonated with others and building stronger bonds with them was truly fulfilling.

- Drabid Subedi, Storyteller

Stories play a crucial role in our company culture, and mastering the art of storytelling has never been more essential. Our Stories is more than an event — it embodies a storytelling culture that permeates our workspaces, cafes, lounges, recess areas, and rooftops.

In a short time, we've built an amazing culture around sharing stories, underscoring the importance of "Our Stories." This initiative helps us connect on a deeper level, enhancing our ability to collaborate, innovate, and grow together as a team.

- Laxman Basnet, Organizing team

At SecurityPal, we are committed to building a community founded on trust in both the individual and collective potential of our team. Our goal is to deliver exceptional work for our clients, fostering exponential growth. To achieve this, we created “Our Stories," a platform that encourages us to share deeply personal experiences without any judgment or shame.

The Our Stories platform has helped me understand the power of storytelling, where every moment, every memory, and every experience can be crafted into an amazing conversation which helps me connect more with my peers, friends and people I set to inspire.

- Samir Gautam, Storyteller

A pleasant surprise during the event was the presence of Samir’s mother, who had come to listen to his story. This endearing moment highlighted that our connections extend beyond our peers to everyone who is connected to SecurityPal. These bonds are what we truly value and treasure.

Visual recap: Stories through our lenses