Clocking Out with Raymond Lee

In this episode of Clocking Out, we meet Henry Wong, a brand strategist, author, and former global advertising executive who spent years helping organizations shape powerful narratives, only to realize the most important story he needed to shape was his own.

Growing up in Toronto, Henry spent much of his childhood working in his parents’ Chinese restaurant. By age 11, he had moved to the front counter, where interacting with customers from all walks of life taught him how to read people, build connections, and understand the power of story — lessons that would quietly shape his future career.

After university, Henry followed his strength as a writer into journalism before moving into advertising, where his creativity led him to leadership roles at Saatchi & Saatchi. The work was exciting, prestigious, and full of recognition. But over time, he began to see the cost of chasing the next campaign, the next award, and the next win.

As his career accelerated, Henry realized the trade-off was becoming clearer: the more he invested in the work, the further he drifted from his family and the life he wanted to build. Instead of continuing on the traditional corporate path, Henry stepped away, joined a smaller firm, became a partner, and built a career that gave him both meaningful work and greater balance.

Today, Henry advises leaders on Narrative Intelligence — the ability to shape the stories that influence teams and culture. Through his consulting and his book Telling Your Story, Building Your Brand, he helps people clarify what they stand for, distill it into a defining word, and align how they show up with that truth. He now describes his own journey in three chapters: learning, earning, and returning.

This conversation is about identity, authenticity, and the courage to redefine success on your own terms.