Interpersonal Influence and Leadership is designed to help students learn how to build more open and effective working relationships as well as the foundational skills of face-to-face leadership. Improving one's knowledge and abilities in interpersonal communication is crucial to becoming a more effective leader in today's complex and highly interdependent organizations. Students learn what they do that increases or decreases their influence with others and their ability to work effectively with others. Other foundational skills include the ability to raise and work through difficult issues, to give and receive feedback, and to work effectively in groups. Students will expand their range of behaviors as well as their ability to work with people who are different from them. Finally, the entire course is about learning from experience, an essential skill for leading organizations through a changing environment.
Interpersonal Influence and Leadership is based on two long-standing and popular courses taught at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. Interpersonal Dynamics has been taught continuously for over 35 years and today is in such high demand that eight sections (of 36 students each) are offered - accommodating approximately two thirds of all MBA students. Alumni often say this course was the most valuable experience of their GSB experience. The second course, High Performance Leadership, has been taught for 15 years and regularly has a waiting list.