by Yuhan Liu, MSFS ’16
On March 28th, sixteen MSFS students gathered in the ECR for a full-day clinic designed to bolster communication skills within a leadership context. The clinic was customized specifically for the participants, based on their self-identified strengths, weaknesses, and goals. The clinic focused on acquiring the skills and techniques that create a charismatic presence, helping participants become not only effective communicators, but compelling leaders.
This clinic was designed and led by Nanette DeWester, founder of The DeWester Group, who teaches communication skills to a wide array of clients from senior executives at Fortune 500 companies to best-selling authors preparing for national television appearances. Having begun her career as an actress and improvisational comedian, Ms. DeWester brings a unique set of skills and techniques to her workshops.
The MSFS Communicating as a Leader Clinic covered a variety of skills through interactive exercises, including crafting concise and clear messages, effectively preparing and delivering information, managing an audience and answering questions, and utilizing visual aids and supporting materials. While practicing these skills, participants sought to embrace their strengths and present confidence, clarity and credibility during communication. The clinic also explored a variety of different communication styles based on the audience type and situations, preparing students to connect with and lead diverse groups of people.
Thanks to the success of the first clinic and positive feedback from participants, Ms. DeWester will offer a second Communicating as a Leader clinic later this month. Both events were made possible by the Philippe Sachs Leadership Fund, which supports year-long leadership training and development for MSFS students.