Hear your own best thinking, shape the essential stories of your work, and amplify your impact.
Data is everywhere. Discernment is rare.
Alex Gallafent
“Every exceptional leader has a partner supporting and sparring with them to elevate their thinking. The smart ones have Alex in their corner.”
— Growth Strategy Leader, Figma
About
For the last decade, I’ve worked as a global creative leader at the renowned design and innovation firm IDEO, where I became its principal storytelling expert and Executive Design Director.
I've led transformative work in hospitality, healthcare, finance, philanthropy, retail, government, and more. In recent years I’ve focused on designing for the climate era; on human-centered AI; and on workforce flourishing. I share insights on global stages from SXSW to Design Korea.
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”.
Stories are critical infrastructure.
Every aspect of a business is strengthened by narrative thinking: defining your vision and purpose; differentiating your work from others’; establishing and marketing your brand; attracting investment; shaping culture; and much more.
The stories that emerge carry ideas across teams, moments, and markets. When they're strong, they inspire action, drive growth, and create lasting impact. But when they fail, or when they’re absent, trust erodes, momentum stalls, and strategy misfires.
In a more-than-human age of infinite noise and phantom meaning, advantage belongs to leaders who shape the fundamental stories of their work with discernment, intention, and essential human judgment.
How I help
Strategic enquiry.
To unearth and clarify 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 Startup
Narrative craft.
To align your teams and customers around the stories that will make them successful.
“Your ability to pull things together into coherence is nothing short of astonishing.”
— Partner, IDEO
Storytelling coaching.
To build the skills you need to deliver what you mean, in your own particular way.
“You helped me deliver the best talk of my career. A masterclass in action.”
— Creative Director, National 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, Sigma Alimentos
Creative facilitation.
To help people connect to what’s real, and to each other.
“The best facilitator I’ve ever worked with.”
— VP, Financial Health Network
“Next time, bring Alex in sooner.”
— SVP, Meta
