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  • Online
    Session Date
    -
    Application Deadline
    Program Fee
    $4,800
    Faculty Chair
    Lauren Brodsky
    Program Director
    Erica Lane
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    Executive Certificate: This program is a core program in the Public Leadership concentration. This program can also be used as a third program for any concentration in the Executive Certificate series.

Program Overview

To make the changes you want to see in your life and in the world, you have to convince decision-makers to act on your ideas. The best way to do that is to identify those decision-makers, connect with them, and express your ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively.

Persuasive Communication: Narrative, Evidence, and Impact, a two-week online program from Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education, shows you how. Through a dynamic forum that provides feedback as you practice and learn, you will build a critical set of skills in writing, speaking, and presenting.

In addition, Faculty Chair Lauren Brodsky will help you understand communications within the context of a broader policy landscape. What’s the most strategic way to approach a situation? How can communications play a role in achieving your goals? Join us to learn the answers to these and other key questions.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM

curriculumYou will prepare for Persuasive Communication: Narrative, Evidence, and Impact with a one-hour onboarding session the week before the program starts. You will also have pre-session readings and videos to help you get the most from the program.

Total estimated time commitment is 12 hours per week for this two-week online program. It includes live faculty sessions as well as group assignments.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In Persuasive Communication: Narrative, Evidence, and Impact, you will:

  • Participate in a knowledge-building and practice-oriented curriculum
  • Write, and receive feedback on, an opinion piece
  • Develop and deliver a group presentation
  • Learn to use evidence effectively
  • Improve data visualization skills
  • Learn how to craft robust arguments
  • Explore the current state of the media and its interplay with policymaking
  • Grow your professional network and career opportunities

Application Information

Persuasive Communication: Narrative, Evidence, and Impact is designed for public- and private-sector officials in mid- to senior-level roles who are responsible for communications, public relations, human resources, and corporate social responsibility.

This program would be ideal for individuals including:

  • Senior leaders in the public sector 
  • Elected or appointed public officials 
  • Communications and public relations professionals 
  • Policy and advocacy advisors 
  • Nonprofit leaders 
  • Foreign and U.S. diplomats 
  • Military and defense professionals  
  • Public health, education, and social service professionals 
  • Union leaders 
  • Leaders of social movements 
  • Corporate leaders working with or for the public sector

View the draft program schedule. Note that module titles, speakers, and sequence may change.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING

“The Persuasive Communication program opened my eyes to an array of approaches I’d never considered. I found myself simultaneously stimulated and inspired, eager to apply what I had learned to solving my organization’s communications challenges.”
Victor Lambert, Senior Communications Advisor, U.S. Department of Housing
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Learn more about Persuasive Communication: Narrative, Evidence, and Impact  from Faculty Chair Lauren Brodsky, Lecturer in Public Policy.

Faculty

Lauren Brodsky Photo

Lauren Brodsky

Lecturer in Public Policy

Austin Bogues Photo

Austin Bogues

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Alex Green Photo

Alex Green

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Jon Haber Photo

Jon Haber

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Hong Qu Photo

Hong Qu

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

Eric Rosenbach Photo

Eric Rosenbach

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Jeffrey Seglin Photo

Jeffrey Seglin

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, Emeritus

Allison Shapira Photo

Allison Shapira

Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy

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