Storytelling class
for Product Leaders
This is a 6 module online class with instructor touch-points via Slack.
Harness the power of storytelling to attract customers and manage up, down and across your organization.
Use storytelling to get execs on board with your vision and customers to buy. In every high-stakes interaction, use our methodology to get your point across with crystal clarity.
In our classes, we have distilled the art of storytelling into a science. Our methodology has been field tested to create memorable stories that influence.
At the end of our classes, you will have the superpower to articulate a crystal clear product vision. We focus on your ability to influence up, whether that's with your executives, your board or your investors. You will learn how to prepare for and deliver stories that influence. At the end of our classes, you will have a toolbox of ready-to-go stories for articulating product vision and other common leadership scenarios.
Students and Alumni of our classes are invited to our exclusive Story Lab, a practice space where you will get personal feedback from me, the instructor, to help you up-level your storytelling. You may also be matched with a partner to practice your storytelling skills.
Not ready to take a class yet? How about finding out your Storyteller type? It's free and only takes a minute.
Testimonials
"For me, this was the most valuable training in a long time and I'm looking forward to improving my storytelling skills a little bit every day."
-Katja, Product Owner, Linchpin
"The content of the class is top-notch and well organized. Each class was entertaining and engaging. The class gave me a platform to tell stories and prepare myself for the future. And Connie's personal feedback on my assignments added so much value! I think product folks who practice her concepts regularly become good storytellers and advance their careers."
-Jay, Director of Product, ex-Orbitz,
Instructor at Product School
"Connie helps us develop the 6 storyteller types along with the LENSE framework. These tools helped me become a more valuable employee by clearly articulating my value add to my organization via better story telling and clearer communication. It also gave me the confidence to pursue a business idea I been considering for a while."
-Nav, Staff Product Leader, Expedia, GE, Cisco
Who’s teaching?
Connie Kwan has crafted and delivered thousands of stories in her roles as Chief Product Officer and CEO. Whether it's presenting to executives, motivating teams, or convincing candidates to join a company, storytelling is at the heart of her work. In her 15 years spanning enterprise and consumer, SaaS, health, energy and semiconductor, she has told stories on public stages at Google Tech Talk, Health 2.0, and at Atlassian's annual conference. Additionally she has been on panels for Women in Product and Product Pub and was interviewed for a podcast for Practical Product. She understands how to engage different audiences through powerful narratives. She collaborated with actor and theatre director Max Koknar to create the Storyteller Method that turns the art of storytelling into a science. This is the method we will be learning in this class.
Who are these classes for?
Product Managers and people leaders. This class builds influence skills that are applicable for managing up, down and across the organization. If your success hinges on effectively working with people, then this class is for you.
Why now?
Two reasons.
1) You have a high-stakes event coming up such as positioning yourself for a promotion, launching a product, ideating a new product, fundraising, moving into a new role etc.
2) You are ready to accelerate your career by building your influence skills, which is the most important one for people-based work.
What is the Format?
There are 6 classes and you can purchase separately or in a bundle. These classes are online and self-paced. So you can start anytime! Twice a year, we will also host a cohort-based class where we step through the materials together in 8 weeks. If you're interested in that, sign up on the mailing list to the right for tips on storytelling and be notified of the next cohort.
or get notified about the next cohort by subscribing below:
Regardless of whether you're taking the classes as self-pace or as a cohort, expect to spend 2-3h on each class to review the materials and complete the assignment. As a student, you will be invited to StoryLab, a Slack channel where you can get feedback from me on your assignments. And you may get paired with another student to work on storytelling together. Here are the 6 classes that we offer. Clicking below takes you to a page where you can view the syllabus and purchase directly.
How might I pay for this?
This class qualifies as career development. Many participants are able to use their company-provided, personally-directed training budget towards this class. Check with your employer about this option.
Why should I take this class?
Have you ever done all the research and walked into a meeting with all the facts, but still failed to get your execs on board? Quite likely it’s ‘how’ you tell it rather than ‘what’ you’re saying. Get a breakdown of the ‘how’ so that you can be equipped with the skills to bring execs on board. Never be at a loss again. Know the 6 different ways you can use to convey your message and more.
Can I get a refund?
All sales are final, but you may transfer your seat to another attendee before the class starts.