In Conversation with Sayori Banerjee

About Sayori Banerjee

Sayori Banerjee is a passionate advocate for compassionate communication and authentic leadership. She recently published her first book on communication skills, ‘Winning Without Words: Connecting from the Whole Being’, an Amazon no.1 best-seller. This book has been described as ‘incredibly brilliant’ by Mona Verma, award-winning author and recipient of the Uttarakhand Ratna, and as ‘a groundbreaking guide to building relations’ by Dr. Guglaani, winner of the US President’s Medal of Honor. Launched at the recently concluded New Delhi World Book Fair, her book shatters myths about communication skills and provides a blueprint for creating real heart-to-heart connections.
In ‘Winning Without Words’, Sayori Banerjee shows that the popular advice on how to make friends and influence people can help you only with shallow friendships and not real spirit-to-spirit connections and that real human connections require much more than sweet words, flattery, and finding commonalities. She goes on to prove that that real bonding and sharing requires a completely new mindset that sees others as human beings with potential for greatness. She introduces the concept of ‘body intelligence’ and shows that the real communication that makes a difference, creates excellence, success, and fulfilling lives requires one to use the body’s intelligence even before one utters a word.
Sayori believes that true leadership is about growing and empowering others and making them leaders in turn. In line with this philosophy, Sayori has been engaged in helping women and children realize their true potential by assisting them in improving their communication skills, leadership skills, and other life skills. She coaches women and children in her society and neighboring community and inspires them to pursue their passions and seek a life of purpose. By stitching together a community of women and children who, in turn, help other women and children grow and find their passions, she hopes to create a movement where people can find joy and fulfilling lives by advancing their skills and leadership abilities. Her passion for nurturing talent in women and children has won her many laurels, including the recent ‘Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2025’ for her proactive advocacy of communication skills and authentic leadership.
Having started her career under the tutelage of the late R.K. Krishnakumar, former MD of Tata Sons’ firms, Sayori had an early exposure to communication that builds lasting connections and authentic leadership that strives to make leaders of others by helping them grow their potential. She worked with several multinationals in India and abroad and is now associated with a school in New Delhi, where she makes use of her communication skills to build community bonds. Sayori combines insights from her experience and research in the fields of psychology, sociology, and organizational behavior to create her perspectives on communication skills and leadership skills.

LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it and its content?

Sayori Banerjee: ‘Winning Without Words: Connecting from the Whole Being’ is about making real, soulful, heart-to-heart connections. We have been told countless times that making friends and influencing people is about using sweet words, flattery, making the other person interested, finding commonalities, etc. Combining insights from psychology and my own experience, I have attempted to shatter the myths about communication skills and provide a blueprint for creating real heart-to-heart connections- even without uttering a word.
In my professional and personal dealings with people of all ages, I have been told innumerable times that people feel an instant connection with me from the first interaction itself. I started researching on this topic, and my research tells me that it is possible to create instant connections. It is possible to develop long-lasting, deep bonds with people without the use of too many words, flattery, dominant posturing, or manipulations.
My book is for people who want to create relationships based on heart-to-heart connections.

LiFT: Why you chose this title?

Sayori Banerjee: The title Winning Without Words encapsulates the core theme of the book. I believe that true success is not always marked by what we say or how we express ourselves verbally but rather by how we act, how we make others feel, and the quiet determination we carry with us. “Winning” represents success—personal, emotional, or even spiritual. “Without Words” is a reminder that our most significant accomplishments and connections often happen without needing to speak them out loud. It’s about tapping into the silent power of actions, intuition, and understanding.

LiFT: When did you realize that you want to be a writer and what’s your inspiration behind it?

Sayori Banerjee: I am a strong believer in authentic connections and authentic leadership. I started my career under some of the great leaders who epitomized the virtues of authentic, transformational leadership. These leaders believed in the greatness of their team members and worked tirelessly to make each of them leaders in turn. Real leaders nurture other leaders. Unfortunately, I found that a lot of people in leadership positions today are inauthentic, narcissistic, grow at the cost of others, take credit for the work of their team members, and use flowery and manipulative language to influence others. Research in organizational psychology confirmed my experience. This has hurt me deeply, and something within me kept urging me to write. I realized that I could use my voice to inspire, heal, and challenge others.

LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?

Sayori Banerjee: I would like to build on this work and expand it to be a source of empowerment for people, especially women and children. I want people to realize that they can be themselves and that they hold immense power. Their voice matters. Authenticity matters. You can be both vulnerable and strong. Fearful and courageous.

LiFT: How much do you think marketing or quality of a book is necessary to promote a particular book and increase its readers?

Sayori Banerjee: Both marketing and quality are crucial, though in different ways. Marketing plays an undeniable role in bringing attention to a book, especially in a world where so much content is being produced. Without marketing, even the most well-crafted stories might go unnoticed. However, the quality of a book is what keeps readers engaged and coming back for more. A well-written book that resonates emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually will always find its audience, no matter the promotional strategies. That said, a balance of both—strong marketing to ensure visibility and high-quality content to ensure lasting impact—is essential for the book’s success.

LiFT: What is the message you want to spread among folks with your writings?

Sayori Banerjee: Through my writing, I want to remind people that their actions often speak louder than their words. I want to inspire others to trust in their own inner strength, to embrace silence when necessary, and to realize that success and meaning are not always measured by conventional standards. Ultimately, I aim to spread a message of resilience, hope, and the importance of meaningful connections—encouraging people to find their voice and inspire others to find theirs, and thus become leaders in the real sense of the word.

LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?

Sayori Banerjee: I work with a school where I have the opportunity to build connections with the community. I also help others build their communication skills and empower themselves. I also follow yoga and fitness as my other passions.

LiFT: What are the activities you resort to when you face a writer’s block?

Sayori Banerjee: Writer’s block is a natural part of the creative process. When I face it, I often step away from writing for a bit and engage in activities that help me reconnect with my thoughts. I go for gym session or meditate. These activities allow my mind to wander and often spark new ideas. Sometimes, I just sit with a cup of tea and let my thoughts flow freely, journaling anything that comes to mind, which can often lead me back to the heart of what I’m trying to express in my writing.

LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If yes, please tell us something about it.

Sayori Banerjee: Yes! I am currently working on my next book, which will delve into the theme of finding one’s true self amidst external pressures and societal expectations. It will explore the tension between following your own path and conforming to what others expect of you. I am excited about this project because it allows me to explore deeper psychological aspects of personal growth and how external influences shape our identities. This book will also integrate a lot of reflective exercises for readers to engage with, encouraging them to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.

LiFT: What are your suggestions to the budding writers/poets so that they could improve their writing skills?

Sayori Banerjee: Write from your heart, write from your experiences and keep writing.

Click here to order Sayori Banerjee’s Book – ⁠⁠Winning Without Words