Storytelling and Influence in Technical Environments

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Storytelling and Influence in Technical Environments

Instructors: Mark Peters

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Construct persuasive narratives around technical initiatives.
Influence cross-functional stakeholders using structured storytelling and credibility strategies.
Communicate complex and emerging technologies with strategic clarity and authority.

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There are 3 modules in this course

Technical professionals are often trained for precision, but real influence requires persuasion. This course on storytelling for technical professionals teaches you how to move beyond clarity and master technical storytelling frameworks that shape perception, frame decisions, and guide stakeholders. You'll learn the problem-solution-impact narrative model, apply the three-act storytelling framework to engineering initiatives, and discover how to turn dense data and architecture decisions into executive communication that connects technology to business outcomes.

Beyond narrative structure, this course builds practical influence without authority skills for engineers, architects, and technical leads working in matrix organizations. You'll learn cross-functional stakeholder alignment, coalition building, and credibility strategies that help you navigate competing priorities across engineering, product, and sales. The course also covers communicating AI and emerging technology to leadership, framing technical debt as business risk, and delivering layered technical communication for mixed audiences — through hands-on labs, AI-powered role-play simulations, and a capstone strategic narrative project.

Technical professionals often rely on information density to persuade. However, decision-makers respond to structure, stakes, and transformation. This module introduces advanced storytelling frameworks grounded in persuasion psychology and organizational dynamics. You will learn how to identify tension within technical work, structure narratives that drive alignment, and use data as a reinforcing device rather than a substitute for story.

What's included

11 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 50 minutes

Intro Video to Course 4 minutes
Module Introduction 3 minutes
The Cognitive Advantage of Narrative 6 minutes
Applying the Three-Act Model to Technical Initiatives 5 minutes
Discovering the Hidden Tension in Your Project 5 minutes
Framing Technical Problems in Business Langauge 5 minutes
Constructing a Problem-Solution-Impact Story 4 minutes
Quantifying Impact without Oversimplifying Complexity 5 minutes
Selecting Metrics That Support Decisions 4 minutes
Transforming Analytics into Executive Story 4 minutes
Ethical Framing and Credibility in Data Storytelling 4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 10 minutes

Welcome to the Course: Course Overview5 minutes
Why Smart Leaders Treat Storytelling as a Strategic Superpower5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

The Strategic Power of Story30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 10 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Build the Narrative Spine10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Why Narrative Moves Decisions Faster Than Data10 minutes

In technical organizations, authority is often distributed and informal. This module explores how influence emerges from credibility, framing, coalition building, and message discipline. You will learn how to navigate matrix environments, align competing priorities, and use storytelling to build momentum around your ideas.

What's included

9 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

9 videosTotal 40 minutes

Module Introduction 3 minutes
Credibility as Strategic Capital 5 minutes
Applying Persuasion Principles in Technical Settings 6 minutes
Mapping Stakeholders and Coalition Opportunities 4 minutes
Translating Technical Detail into Business Impact 5 minutes
Adapting a Technical Explanation for Sales Leadership 3 minutes
Resolving Misalignment without Escalation 4 minutes
Structuring the Before and After Story 5 minutes
Converting a Feature Specification into a Launch Narrative 4 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

Influencing Without Authority: The Currency of Collaboration5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Influence without Formal Authority30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 10 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Coalition Strategy Blueprint10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Building Influence Without a Title 10 minutes

Architecture decisions, AI initiatives, and emerging technologies introduce uncertainty and strategic risk. This module focuses on framing trade-offs, setting realistic expectations, and presenting complexity in a way that builds executive confidence rather than confusion.

What's included

11 videos1 reading1 assignment2 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 48 minutes

Module Introduction 2 minutes
Translating System Design for mixed audiences 4 minutes
Visual Storytelling for Architecture Decisions 5 minutes
Communicating Technical Debt as Business Risk 5 minutes
Clarifying AI Capabilities and Intent 5 minutes
Present AI Roadmaps to Senior Leadership 4 minutes
Setting Expectations without Dampening Enthusiasm 5 minutes
Designing Multi-level Expectations 5 minutes
Explain a complex system to three audiences 5 minutes
Managing Executive Follow-up Questions Strategically 6 minutes
Course Wrap-Up3 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

NIST AI Risk Management Framework Overview 5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Communicating Complex and Emerging Technologies 30 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 70 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Architecture to Executive Storyboard10 minutes
Project: Strategic Narrative and Influence Dossier60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

The Risk of Overselling Emerging Technology10 minutes

Instructors

Mark Peters

10 Courses1,831 learners

Offered by

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