R.C.L.O. Syllabus 

This is a Self-Paced-Course, But Regulated So You Have The Opportunity To Meet With An Instructor To Check On Your Progress, Answer Questions, And Assist With Any Difficulties At A Minimum Of Once Per Week.

✅The course can also be conducted in a group environment, e.g., a department team online.  It can also be conducted onsite over four days. 

✅In addition,  during the course, the leader(s) will be exposed to multiple self-assessments regarding leadership and interpersonal communication.

✅Students can schedule office time with me during the course to discuss questions, talk about concepts, or discuss a work issue they are working on.

✅All students, current and past, get a substantial discount on my consulting fees.

The Renaissance Communication and Leadership Odyssey: Self-Development Pathway

Course Overview

Course Title: The Renaissance Communication and Leadership Odyssey: Self-Development Pathway
Format: Self-paced, online, 17 modules (4 tiers)
Completion Time: ~20–24 hours
Certification: RCLO Certified Renaissance Leader

Course Objective:
Equip leaders and aspiring leaders with the interpersonal communication skills needed to function as Renaissance Leaders—selecting and applying the right approach for each leadership situation.

Tier 1 – Foundations of Renaissance Leadership

Sources: The Renaissance Leadership Odyssey, It’s Time for a Paradigm Shift

Module 1: The Renaissance Leader Mindset
 

Video Assignment: Video 1 - Explain the Renaissance Leader concept, contrast it with outdated leadership paradigms, and share your own leadership transformation story.
 

Reading: Renaissance Leadership Odyssey Ch. 1–2
 

Quiz Questions:

1. What are the three defining traits of a Renaissance Leader?

2. How does this mindset differ from traditional leadership?
    

Activity: Compare your current leadership approach to the Renaissance Leader model.
 

Journal Prompt: How would adopting this mindset change your impact in your organization?

Module 2: Organizational Community Building
 

Video Assignment: Discuss why community culture drives resilience and innovation. Share an example of a company that transformed via culture building.
 

Reading: Renaissance Leadership Odyssey Ch. 4–5
Quiz Questions:

1. Define “organizational community” in your own words.

2. Name two benefits of a strong community culture.
    

Activity: Create a relationship map of your team or department.
 

Journal Prompt: Where are the weak links in your current community connections?

Module 3: The Linking Pin Role of Leaders
Video Assignment: Describe the linking pin theory, your experiences with it, and how leaders act as bridges.
Reading: White Paper – Paradigm Shift sections
Quiz Questions:

1. What is the role of the linking pin in leadership?

2. How does it prevent organizational silos?
   Activity: Identify two areas where your linking pin role could be strengthened.
   Journal Prompt: Write about a time when you failed to connect two organizational layers effectively.

Module 4: Leadership Selection & Development Strategy

Video Assignment: Share why communication mastery must come before leadership placement.
Reading: Renaissance Leadership Odyssey Ch. 6 + White Paper conclusion
Quiz Questions:

1. Why is leader placement critical to a culture’s health?

2. Name one risk of promoting without communication readiness.
   Activity: Draft a leadership development flow chart for your organization.
   Journal Prompt: What step in your organization's leadership selection could be improved?

Tier 2 – Interpersonal Communication Mastery

Sources: The Power of Effective Interpersonal Communication, Understanding the Language of the Body

Module 5: Core Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Video Assignment: Define interpersonal communication, and explain its direct link to leadership effectiveness.
Reading: Power of Effective IC Ch. 1–2
Quiz Questions:

1. What is the primary goal of interpersonal communication in leadership?

2. Give an example of a leadership failure due to poor communication.
   Activity: Identify three breakdowns in past communications and their causes.
   Journal Prompt: Which principle would have changed those outcomes?

Module 6: Communication Filters & Bias Awareness
Video Assignment: Explain how filters and biases distort messages, and share an example from your leadership experience.
Reading: Power of Effective IC Ch. 3
Quiz Questions:

1. Name two common communication filters.

2. How does bias impact leadership decisions?
   Activity: Analyze a recent misunderstanding using filter awareness.
   Journal Prompt: Which of your filters are most active in high-stress moments?

Module 7: Emotional Intelligence Integration
Video Assignment:  Break down the components of EI and demonstrate how they enhance leadership communication.
Reading: Power of Effective IC Ch. 5
Quiz Questions:

1. List the five components of EI.

2. Which EI skill is most critical for de-escalating conflict?
   Activity: Conduct an EI-based feedback conversation.
   Journal Prompt: How does EI change your approach to criticism?

Module 8: Nonverbal Communication – Reading & Sending Signals
Video Assignment:  Show how nonverbal cues reinforce or contradict verbal messages.
Reading: Understanding the Language of the Body (entire)
Quiz Questions:

1. Name three common nonverbal cues and their meanings.

2. What’s the danger of misreading nonverbal signals?
   Activity: Watch a recorded meeting and note body language cues.
   Journal Prompt: How aware are you of your own nonverbal communication?

Tier 3 – Scenario-Based Application

Sources: Navigating Conversations, ICLC Workbook

Module 9: Conflict & Difficult Conversations
Video Assignment:  Share your 3-step model for handling tough discussions without escalation.
Reading: Navigating Conversations Ch. 2–3
Quiz Questions:

1. What’s the first priority in a conflict conversation?

2. How can nonverbal cues escalate conflict?
   Activity: Role-play a performance improvement discussion.
   Journal Prompt: What is your default conflict style, and how does it help/hurt you?

Module 10: Collaborative Team Facilitation
Video Assignment:  Teach techniques for maintaining productive and inclusive team discussions.
Reading: ICLC Workbook – Team Engagement section
Quiz Questions:

1. How do you ensure all voices are heard in a meeting?

2. What’s the difference between facilitating and directing?
   Activity: Facilitate a 20-minute mock problem-solving session.
   Journal Prompt: How do you handle dominant personalities in a group?

Module 11: Coaching & Mentoring for Growth
Video Assignment:  Demonstrate how leaders can utilize questions to inspire, rather than instruct.
Reading: ICLC Workbook – Leadership Development unit
Quiz Questions:

1. What’s the main difference between coaching and mentoring?

2. Name one benefit of each approach.
   Activity: Create a mentoring conversation plan.
   Journal Prompt: Which of your team members could benefit most from mentoring?

Module 12: Cross-Departmental Negotiations
Video Assignment: Discuss adapting style to different departments’ priorities.
Reading: Navigating Conversations Ch. 4
Quiz Questions:

1. Why do cross-department negotiations often fail?

2. What’s one way to bridge conflicting priorities?
   Activity: Simulate a budget negotiation.
   Journal Prompt: How do you prepare for internal negotiations?

Module 13: Strategic Messaging to Executives & Stakeholders
Video Assignment:  Teach concise, persuasive messaging for high-level audiences.
Reading: Navigating Conversations Ch. 5 + Power of Effective IC Ch. 7
Quiz Questions:

1. What’s the ideal length of an executive update?

2. Why is clarity more important than detail here?
   Activity: Draft and deliver a 5-minute executive update.
   Journal Prompt: How do you currently tailor messages for executives?

Tier 4 – Leadership Placement & Growth Path

Sources: ICLC Workbook, Renaissance Leadership Odyssey

Module 14: Self-Assessment & Role Fit Analysis
Video Assignment:  Explain how self-awareness impacts leadership success.
Reading: ICLC Workbook – Self-evaluation tools
Quiz Questions:

1. Why is role fit critical for long-term success?

2. How do you measure role readiness?
   Activity: Complete personal leadership profile.
   Journal Prompt: Are you in the role that best fits your skills right now?

Module 15: Building a Personal Leadership Development Plan
Video Assignment: Demonstrate how to develop a focused growth plan based on strengths and areas for improvement.
Reading: Renaissance Leadership Odyssey Ch. 7
Quiz Questions:

1. Why is a written plan more effective than a mental one?

2. Name one element every plan should have.
   Activity: Write a 90-day leadership growth plan.
   Journal Prompt: What’s your next big leadership goal?

Module 16: Maintaining Leadership Resilience
Video Assignment: Teach how to stay grounded and effective under pressure.
Reading: ICLC Workbook – Resilience strategies
Quiz Questions:

1. What’s one daily habit that builds resilience?

2. Why is communication key in stressful times?
   Activity: Create a personal resilience toolkit.
   Journal Prompt: How do you currently recover from setbacks?

Module 17: Continuing the Renaissance Leader Journey
Video Assignment:  Inspire graduates to commit to lifelong learning and mentoring others.
Reading: Renaissance Leadership Odyssey Closing
Quiz Questions:

1. What’s the most significant risk after completing this program?

2. How can you prevent leadership stagnation?
   Activity: Identify three future learning goals.
   Journal Prompt: Where do you see yourself as a leader in 5 years?