Business Communication in Leadership

July 7-17, 2025 Rose Hill/Lincoln Center

3 credits

Business Communication in Leadership is structured to empower students with essential communication skills tailored for leadership roles in today’s dynamic, tech-driven workplace. Integrating current and emerging communication tools, such as artificial intelligence, multimedia production, and social media platforms, this course emphasizes skills crucial to leadership communication. Through exploring these technologies and media, students will learn to analyze complex issues, structure persuasive arguments, and convey ideas clearly across various digital and interpersonal contexts. The goal is to develop a versatile skill set in communication theories and digital practices that will enable students to be effective, impactful communicators and leaders.

Skills/Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze and Navigate Complex Communication Challenges: Use critical thinking and AI tools to assess and address communication challenges, adapting tone and messaging to meet diverse leadership contexts and audiences.
• Organize and Structure Information Across Multiple Mediums: Craft logical, clear, and engaging narratives across written, audio, and visual formats, tailoring communication strategies for platforms like LinkedIn to reach professional audiences.
• Develop Leadership-Quality Multimedia Content: Create and produce multimedia components, such as podcasts and video presentations, to communicate complex ideas effectively and persuasively in leadership contexts.
• Utilize AI-Enhanced Communication Tools: Gain proficiency with AI-driven tools, such as language generation and tone analysis applications, to enhance message clarity, consistency, and appropriateness in professional and leadership settings.
• Establish a Professional Digital Presence: Utilize social media, particularly LinkedIn, to build a professional online identity, network with others, and showcase thought leadership through high-quality, multimedia-driven posts.
• Incorporate Feedback and Iterate for Improvement: Reflect on feedback from peers and instructors, refining communication strategies based on data insights and applying AI-driven analytics for continuous improvement.

Instructor Bio

Steven D'Agustino is the director of online learning, Office of the Provost. With a Ph.D. in educational leadership, policy and administration from Fordham University, he is also skilled in educational technology and distance education. He co-hosts on the podcast “Twice Over."

Class Schedule

Sample class day:

Topic: Advanced Leadership Communication with Multimedia and AI Tools

Morning Session

• Welcome and Objectives (30 min): Introduction to the day’s focus on leadership communication through multimedia and AI tools. Overview of key learning goals and expected outcomes for the day.
• Guest Speaker Session via Zoom (45 min): An early-career professional in a leadership role joins via Zoom to discuss real-world applications of multimedia and AI in communication. The guest shares experiences and strategies for using digital tools to build professional branding, connect with audiences, and maintain authenticity as an emerging leader. Students engage in a Q&A, connecting the guest’s experiences to course concepts.
• Mini-Lecture on Strategic Communication for Leaders (15 min): Brief overview of persuasive techniques for leadership, including audience engagement, emotional appeal, and credibility-building. Introduction to AI tools that support message clarity, tone, and format.
• Interactive Strategy Brainstorm (30 min): Students form small groups to discuss how they could apply these persuasive strategies in different leadership scenarios, such as a LinkedIn post or a team update video. Each group shares ideas, and the class discusses how to adapt messaging for various audiences and platforms.
• Case Study Analysis and Group Discussion (45 min): Small groups analyze a real-world multimedia leadership communication (e.g., an executive LinkedIn post, video message, or podcast). Each group discusses the effectiveness of the messaging, multimedia elements, and AI use. Groups then present their insights and suggest ways to enhance impact.

Lunch Break (1 hour)

Afternoon Session

• Visit to the University Media Lab (90 min): Students tour the campus media lab, which includes podcast and film studios equipped with advanced AI tools. Guided by media lab staff, they explore podcasting and video production tools and learn about AI-enhanced features like transcription, video editing, and tone analysis. Students engage in hands-on practice and brainstorming, envisioning ways to integrate these resources into their projects.
• Multimedia Creation Workshop (60 min): Back in the classroom, students work individually or in pairs to create a leadership message using writing, audio, and video tools, applying techniques learned in the media lab. AI applications support tone and structure, while platforms like Canva or Adobe Spark add visual elements. Projects are designed for LinkedIn or as a leadership video message.
• Peer Review and Feedback (45 min): Students exchange multimedia projects with peers, focusing on clarity, persuasiveness, and alignment with a leadership audience. Each group provides feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Class Debrief and Reflection (30 min): A group discussion on the value of multimedia and AI tools in leadership communication. Students reflect on the day’s activities, challenges encountered, and insights gained about effective communication in leadership roles.
• Wrap-Up and Next Steps (15 min): Recap key takeaways from the day, and preview skills and tools to be developed in future sessions.