“12 Angry Men” and the Art of Ethical Persuasion

One room. Twelve jurors. A life on the line. In this universally relevant 90-minute seminar, we deconstruct the classic courtroom drama “12 Angry Men” to reveal the mechanics of influence. By analyzing Henry Fonda’s iconic movie performance and Reginald Rose’s screenplay, you will learn to identify unconscious biases and navigate group think. As part of the session, attendees will master real-life persuasion techniques used to flip a “guilty” verdict and discover how one calm, influential voice can shift the tide of an entire room.

Eric Kimble is a former business executive who, mid-career, answered a call from the “Great Recruiter in the Sky” to return to his high school alma mater to teach English literature and coach baseball. Known for creating engaging seminars with relevant lessons, Eric’s business/teaching background allows him to provide a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of literature and life. Eric spent most of his teaching career at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts; he most recently retired from teaching freshmen, sophomore and senior English Literature at Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket.  He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in English literature from Brown University. Eric and his wife Nancy recently moved to Rhode Island to be closer to their three grown daughters and enjoy the beauty of the Ocean State.