The Story Behind the Strategy
I believe the most profound solutions are found not in spreadsheets, but at the intersection of data, narrative, and timeless wisdom.
Beyond the Balance Sheet
For over a decade as a strategy consultant, I helped leaders navigate complex challenges using rigorous, evidence-based analysis. I saw firsthand the power of data. But I also saw its limits. The toughest decisions—the ones that define a company’s culture and a leader’s legacy—were rarely about numbers. They were about people, ethics, and navigating moral ambiguity. They were human stories, and our modern business frameworks often fall short in guiding us through them.
My Three Paths
The Strategy Consultant
Soumya Shankar Ghosal’s career has been a deep dive into the what and how of business. Armed with an MBA in Finance, a Diploma in Systems Management, and certifications as a Microsoft Certified Professional and ISO 9000 Internal Auditor, he built over a decade of experience as a Strategy Consultant. In this role, he transformed complex data into clear, actionable insights for clients across diverse industries. These engagements form the foundation of the 50+ real-world business case studies that ground his writing in practical reality.
The Storyteller
In parallel, Soumya pursued the why—the deeper human stories that numbers alone cannot capture. He began as a columnist for The Statesman during his college years and went on to become a documentary and street photographer of international repute. His visual narratives have earned recognition from the CGAP (World Bank), a place among the “Top 20 Most Influential Street Photographers” by StreetHunters.net, the honor of being named a Canon Maestro, and awards from the Government of India. His work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Travel, India Today, and many more, showing that powerful stories can illuminate truths beyond data.
The Educator
Today, Soumya brings the ‘what,’ ‘how,’ and ‘why’ together in his role as a Professor of Practice. He teaches Visual Storytelling, a discipline he has been invited to share at a multitude of esteemed platforms. His integrated perspective has been sought after for keynotes by government bodies like the U.S. Consulate General and India’s Ministry of Tourism; for lectures at premier academic institutions including IIM Calcutta, the Indian Statistical Institute, and Presidency University; and for mentorship with diverse organizations ranging from ISKCON and CRY to the Kolkata Police. Through this work, he equips future leaders to build strategies that are not only analytically sound but also deeply human—bridging the gap between rigorous logic and empathetic intuition.
The Birth of The Corporate Arjuna
“The Corporate Arjuna is the culmination of my dual journey—where the analytical rigor of a strategy consultant meets the empathetic insight of a storyteller. Drawing on 50+ real-world case studies and weaving them with the human journey of a fictional leader, I explore how the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita can serve as a practical framework for today’s corporate dilemmas.
I approached the Gita not as a scholar, but as a lifelong student—seeking clarity, courage, and purpose in leadership. This book is that framework: a guide for modern leaders to make courageous decisions and lead with their whole selves.”
Career Highlights:
Featured In & Published By
- National Geographic
- CNN Travel
- Business Insider
- The Statesman
- Lonely Planet
- Roli Books
Invited to Speak At
- IIM Calcutta
- Indian Statistical Institute
- Presidency University
- St. Xavier’s University
- NIT Durgapur
- Kolkata Police
Honored By
- CGAP – The World Bank
- Govt. of India
- Street Hunters, Greece
- Benaras Literature Festival, India
- Sahapedia, India
- HIPA, UAE
Industry Recognition
- Canon Maestro
- Curator, First Official Instagram Exhibition (India)
- India Tourism (Govt. of India)
- IBM, Wikipedia, Amazon India, ICICI Bank
Continue the Journey
Thank you for taking the time to learn my story. Here are a few ways we can connect and explore these ideas further.