‘Discursive Leadership,’ is the notion that leadership is not a personal trait or position, but an ongoing practice enacted through communication. Leadership emerges in everyday interactions—how we frame issues, listen, respond, and make meaning with others—especially in moments of uncertainty, tension, and change. This session develops leadership capacity across three integrated dimensions: knowing, doing, and being. The knowing dimension focuses on conceptual frameworks that explain how communication shapes leaders’ influence and coordination. Doing emphasizes practical skills for navigating conversations, framing complexity, and acting effectively. Being centers on embodied enactment, including presence, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. Together, these dimensions help participants learn to lead more intentionally through how they communicate and manage themselves in real-world contexts. By shifting focus from who a leader is to what a leader does, participants gain a more accessible and actionable understanding of leadership.

About Essential Insights: Sharing Fordham’s Teaching Excellence
We are pleased to invite you to Essential Insights, a virtual learning series created for professionals navigating a rapidly evolving world of work. From AI and labor markets to communication, data literacy, and human-centered leadership— each session is designed to deliver timely, practical insights on the forces shaping careers today.

Blending Fordham’s academic expertise with real-world application, sessions are focused on skills that endure: sound judgment, critical thinking, adaptability, and ethical leadership. Attend a single session or join the full series—Essential Insights is designed to help you build clarity, confidence, and capability for what comes next. We hope you’ll join us for this engaging learning experience.