Lead from
your true story

Turn the story that shaped you into a message people trust and a legacy that outlasts you.

Learning with Joanna

Five phases, from your story to your legacy

  1. 01

    Tell Your Story

    Find the story that shaped you.

  2. 02

    Signature Talk

    Turn it into meaning others feel.

  3. 03

    Master Your Message

    Speak with inner authority.

  4. 04

    Be Seen

    Take it public.

  5. 05

    Be Remembered

    Leave a legacy.

Research and methodology

Grounded in research, refined in practice

The True Influence Method™ is a research-informed human development process. Leadership development usually works on what a leader does. This method begins one level deeper, with the person doing the leading, and treats lived experience as the source of authority rather than history to overcome.

Download the white paperPDF · 12 pages · Rev. 2026

The arc of inner growth

  1. Lived experience
  2. Emotional awareness
  3. New meaning
  4. Message
  5. Greater purpose
  6. Embodied voice
  7. Influence
  8. Impact
  9. Legacy
The practitioner observes and reflects. The leader observes herself and discovers. Insight comes through self-discovery, not suggestion.
Domain 1

Transformation

Finding the meaning beneath limiting patterns such as self-doubt, perfectionism and approval-seeking, and building self-trust, clarity and conscious choice.

Draws onEleanor Duckworth's critical exploration (Harvard) · Gabor Maté on adaptation and authenticity · Tibetan Buddhist present-moment awareness · Motivational Interviewing

Domain 2

Emotional Resonance

Translating lived insight into an authentic message and an embodied voice that a person, team or audience can feel and remember.

Draws onGloria Willcox's Feelings Wheel · Antonio Damasio and Joseph LeDoux on emotion and meaning · mirror neuron research · the Sanford Meisner technique

Domain 3

Measurable Outcomes

Converting trust, clarity and emotional resonance into stronger engagement, demand, relationships and growth.

Draws onHarvard Business Review research on customer emotion · Management Science research on speaking training and entrepreneur revenue · LinkedIn research on emotionally resonant content

In their own words

In this past year of working with Joanna, I have booked more talks and our business revenue increased by six figures. Joanna helped me overcome a deep fear of speaking and I now feel confident.
Monica May-DunnCEO and Owner, Arizona Escrow and Financial
I felt most of my life like I’ve been living under concrete. After working with Joanna, I finally feel free, like I can breathe. Her process changed me in my DNA.
Abby RobinsonCEO and Founder, Hands-Off Investing
After my 40-year global career in leadership, Joanna was remarkably helpful getting me on a more focused, positive and productive path. I am now confident the next chapter of my journey will be epic, thanks to all Joanna has helped me with, including preparing my TED-style talk. I wish she’d been with me all along!
Deborah RuggRetired Secretary to the United Nations and Director at CDC
All client stories
Created by

Joanna Horton McPherson

The method puts her leadership framework, Healed Leadership, into practice.

Retire your survival story

A short guide to putting down the story keeping you small, sent to your inbox.