44. Act Like a Leader: How Lessons From The Theater Can Help You Step into Power

Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

"Leadership is a role that you play, like a part you play in other people’s lives. And [your] expression of that role is your responsibility as a leader,” says Stanford GSB lecturer Melissa Jones Briggs. Jones Briggs’ work combines techniques from the theater with social science research to teach lessons about power and communication. In this conversation with podcast host Matt Abrahams, she discusses how acting in a leadership position requires staying present and also knowing when to step back.

“Power and authority often determine which stories are centered and which stories are marginalized,” Jones Briggs says. “By uncovering previously untold stories, we can create environments that invite new stories in, and that helps shape inclusive and equitable work cultures.”

Think Fast, Talk Smart is a podcast produced by Stanford Graduate School of Business. Each episode provides concrete, easy-to-implement tools and techniques to help you hone and enhance your communication skills.

Show Notes

Melissa Jones Briggs

Washington Post: Virtual work is making you talk like a business robot. Here’s how to ‘circle back’ to being human.

Kenji Yoshino, Professor of Law at New York University

Kay Kostopolous, Actor, Director, and Theater Coach

Erving Grossman, Canadian-American Sociologist

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