An ambitious vision for the future of your organisation isn’t enough – how do you communicate this vision to get your colleagues on board? The ability to effectively communicate and persuade others is a key leadership skill. Traditional and common-sense models of communication and persuasion often fail to capture the complex nature of ‘influencing’. Via structured learning activities (video lectures, quizzes, discussion prompts and written assessments) this course will develop your capacity to communicate appropriately in different situational and cultural contexts, making you a highly influential leader.
Storytelling and influencing: Communicate with impact
Storytelling and influencing: Communicate with impact
This course is part of Influencing: Storytelling, Change Management and Governance Specialization
Instructors: Associate Professor Lawrence Ang
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4.8
(2,226 reviews)
18 hours to complete
3 weeks at 6 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
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What you'll learn
Critically evaluate a range of theories to decode the components of persuasive communications
Apply a range of different strategies to a variety of contexts to build rapport, overcome resistance, and find acceptance
Develop skills to interpret the motivation of the audience and influence the way they think and feel to support your ideas
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
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Assessments
12 assignments
Taught in English
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This course is part of the Influencing: Storytelling, Change Management and Governance Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 6 modules in this course
At the heart of persuasive communications is a solid understanding of your audience and what they find appealing. This week you will learn the basic theory of persuasive communication, including models of information processing, motivational appeals, message acceptance, fast and slow decision making and rules of effective human interactions.
What's included
6 videos3 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt
Effective storytelling starts with developing persuasive content, and then structuring a dramatic narrative that will spark the imagination. In week 2, you will learn how to apply storytelling principles like shaping the beginning, building the middle, and making the ending powerful. You will learn how to find the winning idea for your story, colour it with emotions, and use metaphors to quickly connect concepts in people’s minds.
What's included
4 videos2 readings2 assignments
Developing rapport and trust is a crucial aspect of persuasion, in fact, it crucial for any form of supportive human interactions. Often times, this means being able to read a situation and adapt the approach accordingly. In week 3, you will learn how to speak authentically, and how to quickly build and maintain rapport. The means by which this can be accomplished include the use of verbal and non-verbal cues and the techniques of matching and mirroring the body language and vocal qualities of the other person.
What's included
5 videos3 readings2 assignments
Group meetings can create lasting impressions, which is why it important that they are well run. But, more often than not, such meetings are unproductive. Stress and tension in meetings are also common. In week 4, you will learn how to lead influential group conversation by planning an effective meeting, be aware of the do’s and don’ts in meeting, avoid groupthink, and how to make better decisions. You will also learn the power of impression management.
What's included
5 videos1 reading2 assignments
Not all conversations are positive. Some are painful but necessary, like handling objections and overcoming resistance. In week 5, you will learn how to prepare for stressful conversations and deal with objections.You will understand the nature of the objections, why people make them, and then how to reduce their resistance, and defend your proposals against these objections.
What's included
4 videos1 reading2 assignments
What's included
6 videos1 reading2 assignments
Instructors
Instructor ratings
4.8 (783 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Leadership and Management
Northwestern University
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4.8
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TK
5
Reviewed on Jul 26, 2020
Excellent course! Absolutely great content, lots of examples and further resources. I really enjoyed this course with th two course leaders, Arabella MacPherson and Lawrence Ang. Thank you!
SA
5
Reviewed on Aug 8, 2021
This is by far the most engaging and interesting Coursera course I've ever took. It's absolutely worth spending your time. The auxiliary materials are brilliant as well as main lectures.
MS
5
Reviewed on Apr 3, 2025
This course is awesome. At the age of 57, I was glued to the screen and completed the course in two days. Truly enriching for me as an individual, educator, trainer and administrator. Thanks a ton!
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