Communication Cross-Training Course

A 4-week virtual course for leaders of early stage biotech companies.

Communication upskilling

Instructor: Dr. Shelby Doyle

Course overview:

Communication in a startup flows in many modes and even more directions. For leaders, investing in the skills to communicate effectively can be the difference maker for meeting milestones and making an impact. 

At Founder to Leader, we have designed a course to help early-stage biotech and climate tech leaders understand the value of effective communication and learn key principles to communicate effectively at work.

Through this course, participants will:

  • Understand how their role positions them as a lead communicator

  • Build a toolbox of strategies and techniques to communicate effectively within and outside of the company

  • Develop frameworks for communicating across a range of venues including setting vision, priorities, and culture; leading cross-functional teams; and winning supporters

  • Design a game plan for translating new knowledge gained through the course into new approach and action on the job

Syllabus

Welcome session

Join Dr. Shelby Doyle in a 30-minute live Zoom session to understand course objectives, get comfortable with the platform, and meet other participants.

Session 1: Leading through communication, audience + purpose

Understanding why communication matters within the company + within each individual’s role; Appreciating the frequency + complexity of communication tasks required in a startup environment; Internalizing a frame of approach for effective communication centered on defining your purpose + understanding your audience.

Session 2: Internal meetings, memos, being focused + clear

Understanding the key mechanics that structure meetings + memos; Ways to ensure meetings + memos open with clear messages about purpose + intended outcomes (“leading with the lede”); Appreciating the multilingual nature of interdisciplinary teams + approaches for finding common language; Identifying pitfalls to meeting management + learning safeguards to running great meetings.

Session 3: Projects + people management, connecting horizons and building trust

Setting and communicating goals (Objectives and Key Results, OKR’s) in a research enterprise; The role communication plays in translating goals into action plans; Frameworks for interacting with others in a matrix environment; Communicating to build trust and maintain psychological safety as you get things done.

Session 4: Winning supporters, storytelling + pursuasion

Storytelling tools to win supporters across arenas; Key principles to successfully securing financial supporters (pitching to prospective investors, securing non-dilutive grant funding); Outreach strategies for attracting top talent (advisors, personnel, and collaborators); Raising your profile as an individual and on behalf of your company.

FAQs

  • $600 per student; please contact Jaye for private group pricing for up to 20 attendees from your company.

    jaye@foundertoleader.com

  • 1.5 hours total. You can expect 1 hour of learning on your own with our pre-recorded content plus 30 minutes for the live Zoom sessions with Shelby each week. The pre-recorded sessions are designed in small 10-20 minute segments to help you find tiny opportunities to learn the content throughout your busy week.

  • The online learning component are pre-recorded mini lectures Shelby has created to fast-track your learning. There are optional activities and reflections for you to explore if your’e interested.

  • This course was designed for first-time leaders and managers of early stage biotech, climate tech, and tough-tech companies. You do not need to be your company’s founder to attend.