Leading Through Persuasion: The Art of Communication

“All leadership takes place through the communication of ideas to the minds of others.”

Charles Cooley

Today’s leaders must navigate through a rapidly changing, increasingly complex world with 24/7 media coverage.  They face more pressure and have less time to respond.  Great leadership begins with great communication.  Effective communicators cut through the clutter, are on-point, and persuasive.  Self-aware, emotionally intelligent leaders “sell” their ideas to targeted audiences.  This course will develop communication “action” skills (writing, public speaking and presentation design) in a variety of forms and for multiple audiences.

Our goals in this course include learning the following:  1) how emotional intelligence applies to the art of communication;  2) how to identify individual leadership styles and preferred communication channels;  3) what neuroscience teaches us about how the brain sees and processes information;  4) how to frame a persuasive argument and use effective language;  5) how to employ “storytelling” to advance public policy; and  6) how the principles of effective persuasion can improve public speaking and presentations.

Students will be expected to complete assigned readings and participate actively in class discussions, feedback sessions and projects. The course includes several written assignments and public presentations with opportunities to revise and improve both.  Specifically, students will engage in individual and group work to improve writing and speaking skills; learn how to interact professionally with the media (including how to write an influential Op Ed); improve  public speaking through videotaped sessions; deliver a persuasive “elevator pitch”; learn how to answer questions and give meaningful feedback; and use “best practices” for Power Point presentations.    The course concludes with a final individual presentation on a public policy issue of the student’s choice.