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How to shape how people see you at work

People engage with you based on their perception of who you are, not the reality. This can put you at a competitive disadvantage. Some people hide their authentic self, but sharing aspects of it allows you to connect.

Consider how you want to be talked about and ensure that it’s authentic to your real self. Don’t set yourself up to play someone you’re not. In this class, you’ll learn how to bring “all of you” to the table, connect with others intentionally, establish your credibility, and build a strong, authentic executive presence.

Learning objectives:

• Take ownership of your image.

• Embrace facets of your authentic self.

• Connect with others intentionally.

• Own your sense of belonging.

• Signal credibility.

• Lead by example.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Shaping How You’re Perceived
Lesson 2: 3 Keys to Bringing “All of You” Into Any Environment
Lesson 3: 4 Ways to Establish Your Credibility
Lesson 4: What It Takes to Show Up Like a LEADER

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A better way to sell with Robert Herjavec

Sales can be scary because you hear “no” more than you hear “yes.” But you don’t need to be a salesperson to influence others. The only way to overcome your fear of rejection is by constant doing.

In this video lesson, Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec teaches us how to listen deeply, speak clearly, and create value in every interaction.

Learning objectives:

• Lead with authenticity.

• Understand your audience’s state of mind.

• Develop techniques for soliciting information.

• Approach conversations with curiosity.

• Build credibility to gain influence.

• Tailor your presentation to your audience.

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Why trauma can destroy our ability to connect with others

In the past, “trauma” implied experiencing a psychological extreme that was the exception, rather than the norm. Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Bessel van der Kolk admits that he and his colleagues contributed to this misperception of trauma when, in the 1970s, they defined PTSD while working with Vietnam vets. Today, he says, they know trauma is sadly not unusual.

It’s often said that you should be kind because everyone is fighting their own battle. Stress, emotions, memories — we’re all struggling with something on the inside. So how can we co-create more inclusive and compassionate spaces, especially for trauma survivors? According to van der Kolk, we can start by learning more about the neurology of trauma, its life-altering impacts, and potential methods for working through it.

In this video lesson, van der Kolk explores the commonality of trauma and its effects. He discusses why trauma doesn’t mean there is something wrong that needs to be fixed — it means experiences and behaviors need to be understood.

Learning objectives:

• Recognize the enduring effects of trauma.

• Explore various treatment techniques.

• Cultivate psychological safety for trauma survivors.

• Empower your colleagues.

• Regard others’ coping mechanisms with compassion.

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How to prevent AI from fragmenting your organization with Martin Gonzalez

Leaders love to push for innovation but tend to overlook the investments in trust and collaboration that actually make innovation work. The recent AI boom has made this gap impossible to ignore. Companies are racing to integrate new software with the hopes of leaps in performance, only to find friction, confusion and subpar results.

According to Google’s Organization and Leadership Development Lead Martin Gonzalez, the problem isn’t AI; it’s how we’re thinking about it. The future of work, he argues, won’t be decided by the technology itself, but by how intentionally we design work around people.

Learning objectives:

• Shape people decisions through cultural must-haves.

• Remove roadblocks to team productivity.

• Nurture functional team dynamics.

• Model confident humility.

• Make time for long-term goal-setting.

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The anthropological reason we have leaders with Simon Sinek

Leaders didn’t always wear suits, but they have always been important. In prehistoric times, the leader kept the tribe from brawling over dinner, and in return, they got first crack at the grub. In the millennia since, the dress code has changed, but the expectations have not. We’re willing to cede certain perks to leaders so long as they fulfill their end of the bargain: Step up when it matters and protect the group.

In this video lesson, leadership consultant Simon Sinek explores the evolution of organizational hierarchy and how we can use it to understand the role of leadership today.

Learning objectives:

• Identify the fundamental responsibilities of leadership.

• Articulate your organizational vision and how your operations align with it.

• Articulate your personal vision and how your role aligns with it.

• Enhance your team’s trust levels.

• Identify promising new leaders.

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3 guiding principles of thoughtful leadership with Steve Stoute

Great companies are built on intention, not instinct. Music mogul and entrepreneur Steve Stoute, often called “the CEO other CEOs turn to for advice,” knows this firsthand.

Strong leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice or the most magnetic personality. It shows up in everyday choices guided by clear, concrete values. In this lesson, Stoute outlines his top three leadership principles that shape company culture from the ground up, from signaling trust and commitment to embracing conflict and admitting what you don’t know.

Learning objectives:

• Align behaviors with values.

• Create systems of accountability.

• Encourage different opinions to achieve the best outcomes.

• Deliver tailored feedback with empathy.

• Cultivate a creative environment that welcomes outside passions.

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Why real AI transformation goes far beyond tool access | Daphne Koller

You’ve probably heard that artificial intelligence has untapped potential in today’s workplaces. And sure, many organizations have signed enterprise contracts and deployed different AI tools across all bus…

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Unlocking your team’s hidden potential with Adam Grant

Wharton professor and organizational psychologist Adam Grant argues it’s time to stop obsessing over “natural talent.” He grew up feeling like he wasn’t especially good at anything — and that experience shaped a more hopef…

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The secrets of unreasonable hospitality with Will Guidara

If your job involves selling something for a living, you already know the importance of making customers feel listened to and cared for. So why up the ante and engage in what restaurateur Will Guidara calls “unreasonable hospitality”?

Because being relentless in making others feel valued might be your best competitive advantage – especially in a business landscape stuffed with competitors constantly offering the latest and greatest version of your product or service. Luckily, being “unreasonable” doesn’t have to be draining; it can be creative, generative, and even systematizable.

Not only will these actions keep customers returning to your business, they’ll also work as a way of natural marketing; they’ll share stories of your service and draw even more people in, keeping your company alive.

Learning objectives:

• Prioritize presence and connection in service interactions.

• Scale personal touches by recognizing common customer patterns.

• Empower your team to spark joy.

• Be inspired by your rivals.

• Balance exceptional customer service with profitability.

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Paula Pant explores smart financial decision-making.

It’s oh-so-easy to chase shiny, fast rewards like a big stock market win, a skyrocketing cryptocurrency, or an app promising easy street. But financial independence is a life-long process, says Paula Pant, host of the Afford Anything podcast. Like a tree, real strength comes from the roots, not the flashy leaves or fruit. Healthy finances start with understanding what you value most and what you truly want to afford, then making long-term plans to support those priorities. With a stable, value-driven approach and some discipline, a world of freedom can open.

Although financial decisions look different for everyone, Pant stresses one universal truth: every choice comes with a trade-off. Choose wisely, and you may not be able to buy everything, but you can buy anything.

Learning objectives:

• Clarify your financial priorities.

• Identify ways to increase your earnings and lower your costs.

• Direct your savings effectively.

• Determine your risk profile.

• Guard against bias in financial decision-making.

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Atul Gawande shares leadership lessons from the operating room

We often picture the surgeon at the center of the operating room. But Atul Gawande knows firsthand that the success of any procedure depends on the coordinated work of many people. He has spent his career studying how experts get better, and why even the most talented eventually stall out. The most skilled experts need coaches to reveal their blind spots, as true expertise hinges on having the humility to keep learning once success arrives.

In this class, Gawande explores the paradox of mastery: the point at which experience becomes a limitation, and the only path forward is to let someone else see what you can’t. He also distills the lessons he’s learned about building systems that enable entire teams to perform better together.

Learning objectives:

• Set bold, yet attainable goals.

• Influence people using stories.

• Build leaders who can solve problems.

• Develop a coaching system to grow everyone’s capabilities.

• Deliver results with a cohesive team.

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Oliver Burkeman explains why we can’t (and shouldn’t) do it all

Modern media often seems to insist that we can (and should) do it all: pursue meaningful work, maintain work-life balance, nurture friendships, exercise regularly, advance our careers, even frolic with our pets. These are all undeniably worthwhile pursuits. But the real problem isn’t their value, says author Oliver Burkeman — it’s our humanity. We’re finite, mortal beings, and physically can’t do it all.

This might sound like bad news, but Burkeman argues it’s liberating. In this video lesson, he shares how accepting our limits can simplify decision-making and help us focus on what truly matters.

Learning objectives:

• Release the constraints of perfectionism that hold you back.

• Adopt a balanced, sustainable approach to productivity.

• Prioritize a few meaningful outcomes that matter – today.

• Reframe discomfort as a nudge toward growth.

• Live your ideal identity now while making room for serendipity.

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Mastering your internal triggers with Nir Eyal

Distractions are everywhere. A deluge of content on social media, notifications from your phone, coworkers talking loudly in your open office; the list is endless. But author Nir Eyal says these types of external triggers aren’t the root cause of your lack of focus. He suggests the true distraction triggers are internal: a fear of loneliness or aversion to boredom.

In this video lesson, Eyal reveals how distraction actually occurs when trying to escape uncomfortable emotional states. To truly become “indistractable,” he argues that you have to address your internal triggers first. And that means acknowledging that time management is pain management.

Learning objectives:

• Recognize and reframe internal triggers.

• Protect your time through individual and team planning.

• Take steps to manage and reduce external triggers.

• Use pacts to stay focused on goals.

• Promote an indistractable workplace culture.

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How to lead through anxiety with Jesse Eisenberg

In a candid exploration of the forces that drive creativity and success, Jesse Eisenberg delves into the paradoxes of the creative process and leadership. With striking honesty, Eisenberg reveals how anxiety, self-doubt, and fear have been unlikely catalysts in his multifaceted career as an actor, writer, and director. Beyond the glare of Hollywood, he shares personal anecdotes that shed light on the complexities of navigating public perception, criticism, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Eisenberg’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of reframing vulnerability as a source of strength, offering profound insights into the art of leadership. Through a lens of empathy and humility, he challenges conventional notions of authority, showcasing how leading with a quiet confidence can inspire innovation and collaboration.

This dialogue invites a deeper understanding of how emotional intelligence and a willingness to embrace the unknown are pivotal in cultivating a culture of creativity and resilience in any field.

Learning objectives:

• Reframe feelings of self-doubt and fear.

• Build empathetic and productive partnerships with diverse team members.

• Prioritize skill sets and alter course when needed to achieve project goals.

• Handle difficulties and motivate others with decisiveness and transparency.

• Lead with sensitivity, humility, and genuine interest in your collaborators.

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Dealing with challenging coworkers with Amy Gallo

There’s a lot you can choose in life. You can choose your outfit and which snack to pull from the cupboard. You can choose your friends. But you generally can’t pick your coworkers. If you’re lucky, they’re all wonderful people with whom you get along swimmingly. But it’s likely that at some point in your career, you’ll struggle to get along with someone at work. And while there’s no way to prevent having crappy cubicle mates, there are strategies you can use to deal with them more effectively and make everyone’s lives easier.

Positive work relationships, as Harvard Business Review editor Amy Gallo emphasizes, are not only nice to have but also crucial for performance, creativity, and well-being. By prioritizing empathy and upfront communication, Gallo’s principles for managing tough conversations and engaging with difficult colleagues can help everyone create more generative, amiable professional communities.

Learning objectives:

• Address unhealthy patterns of behavior and foster healthy work relationships.

• Navigate and learn from difficult conversations.

• Increase self-control and self-awareness during conflicts.

• Disagree productively.

• Communicate effectively in remote work environments.

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Managing the voice in your head with Ethan Kross

Your inner voice is typically an asset. It helps you make plans, solve problems, maintain self-control, and keep information lively. However that’s not always the case. Sometimes your inner voice can transform from a blessing to a curse, and negative thoughts and emotions come to dominate your thinking. This causes us to worry, ruminate, and catastrophize, which traps us in a negative thought cycle.

The good news is that there is a science-based method to help you regain control of your inner voice. Psychologist Ethan Kross calls this dark side of your inner voice “chatter.” In this video lesson, he explains how you can better understand it and how to harness it.

Learning objectives:

• Recognize what causes you to experience chatter.

• Adopt a broader perspective on your problems.

• View threats as challenges.

• Share chatter productively and help others do the same.

• Minimize chatter by creating rituals and introducing more awe into your life.

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How to refine your critical inquiry skills with Alex Edmans

No one sets out to believe misinformation, yet it happens with alarming frequency. In an age where we're constantly bombarded with confident claims about everything from the best foods to eat to the top strategies for boosting shareholder value, it’s become an increasingly difficult battle to make decisions based on solid research vs. misleading assertions.

According to London Business School professor Alex Edmans, though, it’s a fight worth waging. As a research professor who’s spent much of his career examining the truthfulness of bold claims, Edmans explains that, just like the biases themselves, you already have the tools to counter them. By tapping into them, you can learn to think more critically.

Learning objectives:

• Understand why misinformation spreads.

• Identify human biases to avoid errors in data interpretation.

• Evaluate research claims for accuracy and relevance.

• Scrutinize research studies.

• Adopt a healthy skepticism.

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How to argue less and talk more with Jefferson Fisher

What if every argument you’ve ever “won” actually cost you something way more valuable? Whether that be respect, connection, or trust, attorney and author Jefferson Fisher argues that when you try to control the conversation, you end up losing something far more important. Instead of fighting to be right, Fisher invites us to unravel the tension of disagreement and examine the real triggers that lie beneath.

Jefferson Fisher is a Texas board certified personal injury attorney, business owner, and communication expert. He has spent years honing the art of persuasion in the courtroom, which may seem far removed from the everyday disagreements the rest of us deal with — whether over project decisions at work or household responsibilities at home. But Fisher’s high-pressure legal experience has been a powerful training ground for learning what actually resolves conflict, and what only makes it worse.

Learning objectives:

• Navigate difficult conversations

• Build and project confidence

• Speak up when it matters

• Choose your words more carefully

• Increase connection with others

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Using Inquiry to Drive Innovation with Natalie Nixon

Everyone has experienced a child who won’t stop asking questions. You give them one answer and another “why” follows, and so on and so on. But children are also known for having superior imaginations. Natalie Nixon thinks we should all be a little more like the 3-year-old in the backseat. She argues that we should ask more questions if we want to fuel creativity. In this video, she discusses the different types of questions to ask to spark innovation and why we should lean into (rather than run from) ambiguity.

Natalie Nixon is the founder and creative strategist for Figure 8 Thinking. In this class, Nixon discusses her 3i Creativity Model, a framework you can use to spark your own creativity and maximize the creative capacity of your organization.

Learning objectives:

• Combine wonder and rigor to engage in creativity

• Cultivate a culture of questioning and improvisation

• Treat intuition as valuable data

• Create bold mashups

• Prioritize CQ development in your organization

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Slow productivity with Cal Newport

Most of us know that multitasking is a trap — that trying to tackle several things at once often results in most of them being done poorly (or not at all). And yet we keep toggling between tasks because modern work environments divert us with emails to answer and meetings to endure. Burnout often results.

So what’s the solution? Productivity expert Cal Newport suggests tapping the brakes and practicing what he calls slow productivity, a type of languid intentionality that values long-term output over performative activity. Slow doesn’t have to mean less, though. By working in a more focused, natural manner, you’ll likely accomplish more and feel better about the process.

Cal Newport is a computer scientist and the author of the book Slow Productivity. In this video lesson, Newport explores strategies for breaking free from cycles of busyness and burnout and increasing work quality and happiness.

Learning objectives:

• Increase your cognitive capacity and concentration at work

• Balance your work-rest cycles

• Build a sense of pride in your work

• Develop a deep-work routine

• Optimize your productivity when working remotely

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