Our Executive Persuasion Program
Course Summary
We’ve all seen court room dramas play out on TV and in the movies, those masterful cross examinations, the emotional closing arguments, perhaps an intense deposition. Extracting information from a witness is one thing, but distilling it into a compelling narrative that tells a story, paints a picture, advocates a point of view, evokes emotion, and generates the desired action and outcome? This is the power of persuasion and the bedrock of our Executive Persuasion Program. Combining trial-lawyering and storytelling techniques is as vital in the boardroom ad in the courtroom, and leaders who know how to tell effective stories will have a significant advantage over the competition. We can prepare you for public presentations, for sales meetings, for inspiring your work force—every area where persuasion matters.
We can provide seminars for a larger group (such as your sales department), for a small group of key executives, or provide one-on-one coaching in persuasion for a single executive. The techniques of effective trial lawyering work for business executives as well. Let us help.
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How We Can Help
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Understanding the importance of storytelling in persuasion
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Telling effective stories
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Understanding how irrational factors impact your audience's decision-making
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Understanding and connecting with your audience
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The fundamentals of compelling public speaking
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Using visuals instead of hiding behind visuals
Why Narrative Edge? Let us Persuade You
Exceedingly Efficient
For attorneys, whether it’s a deposition, opening statement, closing argument, or cross examination, engagement matters – and the tools to make that happen vary widely from one case, one witness, to the next. What doesn’t change is how vital it is to connect deeply with every audience all the time. The Narrative Edge teaches the techniques to ensure that happens. Facts and figures can be transactional, forgettable; a good story is strategic and memorable.
Gratifying Results
Our faculty members, following the example set by our founding director, are routinely lauded by judges and even opposing counsel for their abilities to distill even the most complex cases into compelling and embraceable narratives. “One of the best closing arguments I’ve seen in 40 years,” said one now-retired federal court judge. “Your ability to keep control of the witness while also telling a story was something I don’t think I’ve seen anybody else do,” said a Superior Court judge. The testimonials are as significant as they are validating of the Narrative Edge approach.
Collaborative
These techniques are as effective in the court room as they are in the board room. Persuasion isn’t merely about changing minds; it can be about sealing deals, making sales, recruiting talent, addressing regulatory issues and oversight, elevating brands, adjusting narratives and establishing thought leadership. We teach the art, tactics and strategy of effective storytelling blended with trial-lawyering techniques to create a holistic, integrated methodology of persuasion and advocacy.
Who Will Benefit?
The program is intended for lawyers of all experience levels.
Lawyers with no trial experience will be trained on all major trial tasks. Experienced lawyers will learn higher-level skills to help take their advocacy from good to great.
The course director, Chris Arledge, has taught trial advocacy around the country and around the world. He is the author of the book To Prove, To Please, To Move: Timeless Principles of Legal Advocacy and has been on the faculty for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, the Advanced Advocacy program in Dublin, Ireland and the Advanced International Advocacy Course at Oxford University to barristers with more than 25 years’ experience.