Curriculum

Discover why storytelling works, learn a simple framework for crafting, collecting, and iterating on stories, and develop best practices from CEOs and world leaders.

Master Storytelling for Authentic Leadership merges storytelling research, frameworks, techniques, and best practices to help you enhance your leadership and drive growth in your organization. The curriculum focuses on the impact of storytelling to create a sense of meaning and purpose at work and in life, drive empathy and connection, and build trust with audiences. This course is developed and taught by Dr. Jennifer Aaker, the General Atlantic Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Professor Aaker is a renowned behavioral scientist, scholar, and best-selling author - who studies what creates meaning versus happiness in life (and work), and how to harness story, purpose, and humor as a leadership tool.

What You Will Learn

  • Understand the neuroscience and social science of why stories captivate audiences
  • Discover why stories have specific relevance in the workplace
  • Identify the key criteria for creating powerful stories
  • Key assignment: Leverage the learnings to create three to five personal 6-word stories and reflect on consistent themes.

  • Learn guidelines for how to build effective stories
  • Gain insights on three story types: signature, customer, and purpose stories
  • Explore how to construct stories using a simple 3-act structure
  • Key assignment: Build a story to use at an upcoming event (e.g. team meeting, presentation, etc.)

  • Learn the key characteristics of leadership stories and how they can communicate values, motivate others, and humanize yourself
  • Examine the key traits that can strengthen leadership stories
  • Discover the impact of stories in case studies featuring business and sports leaders
  • Key assignment: Create a leadership story funnel to collect stories from colleagues, employees, and more

  • Discover research that provides concrete examples of how leadership stories help you live and lead a more meaningful life
  • Examine the role personal stories play in defining success and happiness
  • Hone your presentation skills through story delivery
  • Key assignment: Build, refine, and deliver via video a personal leadership story

Learning Model

This course is offered in four modules and each module extends beyond theory and enables you to put your learnings directly into practice for real-time results. Videos, case studies, simulations, and personal feedback on select assignments will enhance your understanding of course concepts.

Once you pay, you will unlock course material for 60 days and can save select materials for future reference.

Course Flow

Contact

Rania Helaihel
Associate Director, On-Demand Courses Executive Education