Just Be Yourself: The Art of Acting in the Workplace from edX

You’ve heard it many times before: you have a nerve-wracking presentation, meeting or interview coming up, and a well-meaning friend tells you you’ll be fine as long as you “just be yourself.” The advice might overwhelm and confuse you, causing you to deliver a tense, awkward performance during which you feel anything but yourself.

The truth is that we play many honest versions of ourselves, and we need training to figure out how to best adapt to the most effective version for the moment. After all, who we are as a friend is very different from who we are as a parent. Who we are as an individual contributor is very different from who we are as a manager or leader.

With its focus on finding authenticity in any number of roles, the craft of acting provides the techniques you need to “just be yourself.” This course will examine a variety of in-person and remote settings, giving you essential training as you strive to be your most authentic self regardless of the environment. As opposed to a college Acting I class, which studies how to be other people, think of this course as an Acting 0, where the ultimate goal is to figure out how to genuinely play yourself.

By signing up for the Verified Track, you will gain access to a comprehensive facilitation guide covering all of the exercises taught in the course so that you can put theory into practice and share with your team! Also, gain exclusive access to an impactful interview with legendary Davidson College basketball coach Bob McKillop, who shares first principles on acting in the workplace as he weaves connections between acting and sports.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Gain practical application of workplace conversation techniques through the lens of unscripted roundtable discussions with a diverse group of leaders.
View unscripted sessions of students discussing the various elements of workplace communication to gain valuable insights from their diverse perspectives.
Acquire the tools necessary to rally the support of teammates, especially those who don’t report directly to you, for new initiatives or projects.
Be prepared for a variety of interactions with colleagues, clients, partners and leaders.
Identify how you “perform” based on audience, status, confidence, and setting, embracing which role to play and when.

Practice new techniques tailored for live, in-person settings, such as board rooms, one-on-one meetings, and larger gathering spaces.
Practice new techniques tailored for virtual, remote platforms, both live and pre-recorded.
With a deeper understanding of and confidence in yourself, you will be able to speak up more in meetings, share your unique ideas, and act with integrity in challenging situations.
Verified track learners gain exclusive access to supplementary materials aimed at those who plan to put course knowledge into practice in their work lives.

Gain practical application of workplace conversation techniques through the lens of unscripted roundtable discussions with a diverse group of leaders.
View unscripted sessions of students discussing the various elements of workplace communication to gain valuable insights from their diverse perspectives.
Acquire the tools necessary to rally the support of teammates, especially those who don’t report directly to you, for new initiatives or projects.
Be prepared for a variety of interactions with colleagues, clients, partners and leaders.
Identify how you “perform” based on audience, status, confidence, and setting, embracing which role to play and when.
Practice new techniques tailored for live, in-person settings, such as board rooms, one-on-one meetings, and larger gathering spaces.
Practice new techniques tailored for virtual, remote platforms, both live and pre-recorded.
With a deeper understanding of and confidence in yourself, you will be able to speak up more in meetings, share your unique ideas, and act with integrity in challenging situations.
Verified track learners gain exclusive access to supplementary materials aimed at those who plan to put course knowledge into practice in their work lives.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops authenticity and communication in leadership, which are core skills for high-potential workers

Taught by Steve Kaliski, an expert in communication and improvisation renowned for their repute

Insights from legendary Davidson College basketball coach Bob McKillop weave an unexpected but insightful connection between sports and professional communication

Explores acting techniques that provide tools for communicating with impact in both in-person and remote settings

Verified track offers supplementary facilitation guide and exclusive interview materials for learners eager to apply these concepts to their work

Requires students to engage with readings, videos, discussions, and exercises to build a strong foundation in communication skills

Career center

Learners who complete Just Be Yourself: The Art of Acting in the Workplace will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Television Producer

A Television Producer is responsible for overseeing all aspects of television production. The course in acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field, as it can help build a foundation for how to understand and manage the creative process. Additionally, the course can help develop the skills necessary to work effectively with a team of writers, directors, and actors.

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Speechwriter

A Speechwriter is responsible for writing speeches for politicians, executives, and other public figures. The course in acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field, as it can help build a foundation for how to write effectively. Additionally, the course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and target your audience.

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Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading and motivating a sales team. This course in acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field. The course teaches the fundamentals of acting, which can help build a foundation for how to understand and motivate your team. Additionally, the course teaches the art of persuasion, which is essential for success in sales.

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Public Relations Specialist

A Public Relations Specialist is responsible for managing the public image of an organization or individual. The course in acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field, as it can help build a foundation for how to understand and target your audience. Additionally, the course can help develop the skills necessary to create and deliver effective public relations messages.

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Politician

A Politician is responsible for representing the interests of their constituents. The course in acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field, as it can help build a foundation for how to communicate effectively with the public. Additionally, the course can help develop the skills necessary to persuade voters and build consensus.

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Media Relations Manager

A Media Relations Manager is responsible for managing relationships with the media. The course in acting will help you as a Media Relations Manager because it teaches the fundamentals of acting. This may help build a foundation for how to communicate effectively with the media. Additionally, the course teaches the art of persuasion, which can be helpful when dealing with difficult reporters or situations.

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Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. The course in acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field, as it can help build a foundation for how to understand and target your audience. Additionally, the course can help develop the skills necessary to create and deliver effective marketing messages.

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Lawyer

A Lawyer is responsible for representing clients in legal matters. The course in acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field, as it can help you understand how to analyze and interpret the law. Additionally, the course can help you develop the skills necessary to communicate effectively in court and persuade a jury.

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Journalist

A Journalist is responsible for gathering, writing, and reporting news and current events. The course in acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field, as it can help build a foundation for how to research and write effectively. Additionally, acting courses typically teach the art of persuasion, which can be used to engage readers and viewers.

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Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources, including recruiting, hiring, training, and development. The course in acting will help you as a Human Resources Manager because it can help build a foundation for how to understand and motivate employees. Additionally, the course may help you develop the skills necessary to resolve conflict and build consensus.

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Executive Assistant

An Executive Assistant provides administrative and managerial support to a senior executive. The course in acting will help you as an Executive Assistant by teaching you the fundamentals of acting. This may help build a foundation for how to manage your time and resources effectively. Additionally, the course teaches the art of persuasion, which can be helpful when dealing with difficult people or situations. Also of use will be the techniques tailored for live, in-person settings such as board rooms, one-on-one meetings, and larger gathering spaces.

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Event Planner

An Event Planner is responsible for planning and coordinating all aspects of events, from small gatherings to large conferences. This course in acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field. The course teaches the fundamentals of acting, which can help you build a foundation for how to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally. Additionally, the course teaches the art of persuasion, which is essential for success in this field. This course teaches this with a focus on finding authenticity in any number of roles, which will be useful for interacting with clients and vendors.

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Consultant

A Consultant provides expert advice and guidance to organizations and individuals. The skills you learn in this Acting course, especially the art of acting and the art of persuasion, translate well to this role. Consultants must be able to clearly and effectively communicate their ideas to clients and persuade them to take action. This course will provide you with the tools you need to do just that.

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Communications Manager

A Communications Manager is responsible for planning and overseeing all aspects of an organization's communications. This course will help you as a communications manager because it teaches the fundamentals of acting. This may help build a foundation for how to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally. Additionally, the course teaches the art of persuasion, which is essential for success in this field. Especially helpful in this role may be the section of the course discussing how to practice new techniques tailored for live, in-person settings such as board rooms, one-on-one meetings, and larger gathering spaces.

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Actor

An Actor tells stories and experiences through performing roles in theater, television, film, and other media. Your study of the art of acting may be particularly helpful for those who wish to pursue careers in this field. This course "Just Be Yourself: The Art of Acting in the Workplace" can help you understand how to play yourself and act genuine in your roles. This may provide you with a strong understanding of how to analyze the characteristics of a role and how to create and portray a convincing character.

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