Johns Hopkins Communications Expert Available to Discuss Pence-Harris Debate

Communications expert Steven Cohen, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, is available to speak with journalists about messaging, rhetoric, and other aspects of communicating in advance of the October 7 vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris.

Cohen (PhD in Communication from the University of Maryland, and Master in Public Policy from Harvard University) studies the communication behaviors of effective leaders, with a focus on executive presence. He has created custom courses and leadership development programs for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, helping leaders communicate with confidence, influence, and authority.

In a recent Q&A (“Leadership and the power of inspiration”) for the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School website, Cohen noted that effective leaders don’t merely list their plans but describe them in visionary, world-changing terms.

“It's important for leaders to talk about goals, but focusing on revenue growth or profitability isn’t inspiring,” Cohen said. “We need leaders who talk about revolutionizing the way the world works, how products and services can change minds and hearts and change society. Language and communication elevate messages and help leaders frame their ideas in more provocative, meaningful ways.”