Influence and Communication Programme

Influence, Executive Presence and Communication

Build credibility, communicate with clarity and influence decisions across formal and informal organisational boundaries.

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Course overview

Turn expertise and intent into credible communication and constructive influence.

Influence, Executive Presence and Communication helps leaders communicate so that people understand what matters, why it matters and what action is required. It combines credibility, stakeholder judgement, message discipline and confident delivery.

Participants examine how influence works through trust, relevance, evidence, reciprocity, relationships and decision context. They learn to avoid manipulation, overstatement and style without substance while developing a presence that is grounded, clear and responsive.

The course uses realistic presentations, meetings, stakeholder conversations and high-pressure scenarios so participants can practise framing messages, handling challenge, building coalitions and adapting communication across organisational boundaries.

Learning outcomes

What participants will be able to do.

  • Explain the ethical foundations and practical sources of influence.
  • Assess stakeholder interests, concerns, power, relationships and decision roles.
  • Build credibility through expertise, trust, consistency and organisational awareness.
  • Frame messages around audience needs, evidence, consequences and required action.
  • Communicate complex ideas with greater clarity, structure and brevity.
  • Use stories, examples and data without distorting the evidence.
  • Adapt communication across executive, technical and operational audiences.
  • Handle objections, challenge and difficult questions with composure.
  • Influence decisions and commitment without overrelying on formal authority.
  • Prepare a practical communication and influence strategy for a live priority.

Who should attend

Designed for leaders and professionals who need practical, context-aware capability.

  • Managers, senior professionals and emerging executives.
  • Project, programme, product and change leaders.
  • Technical specialists who present recommendations to decision-makers.
  • Professionals who negotiate priorities across functions or organisations.
  • Leaders preparing for high-stakes meetings, presentations or stakeholder engagement.

Prerequisites

Prepare for active application.

  • No formal communication qualification is required.
  • Participants should bring a real message, decision or stakeholder challenge.
  • A willingness to present and receive feedback is expected.
  • Corporate cohorts may use live strategic, commercial or transformation priorities.

Course structure

5 integrated modules from leadership insight to workplace application.

The programme connects concepts, behaviour, practical tools, decisions and transfer through one coherent learning journey.

1

Module 1

Credibility, presence and influence

  • Influence versus authority, pressure or manipulation.
  • Credibility, trust and professional reputation.
  • Grounded executive presence and behavioural signals.
  • Authenticity, adaptability and audience expectations.
  • Personal influence strengths and risks.
2

Module 2

Stakeholders and decision systems

  • Interests, concerns, power and relationships.
  • Formal and informal decision roles.
  • Coalitions, sponsors, blockers and trusted advisers.
  • Organisational context and political judgement.
  • Ethical stakeholder strategy.
3

Module 3

Message design and persuasive communication

  • Purpose, audience and required action.
  • Clear structure for complex messages.
  • Evidence, logic, stories and examples.
  • Benefits, risks, trade-offs and consequences.
  • Brevity without oversimplification.
4

Module 4

Delivery and communication under pressure

  • Voice, pace, presence and non-verbal signals.
  • Meetings, presentations and executive briefings.
  • Questions, objections and challenge.
  • Difficult news and unpopular decisions.
  • Virtual and cross-cultural communication.
5

Module 5

Influence strategy and application

  • Choosing channels, timing and messengers.
  • Building support before formal decisions.
  • Influencing without authority.
  • Monitoring response and adapting ethically.
  • Live communication and influence plan.

Learning experience

Learn through application, challenge, feedback and reflection.

Map

Stakeholder influence map

Analyse decision roles, interests, relationships and likely responses for a live priority.

Frame

Message architecture workshop

Turn a complex issue into a clear, audience-relevant and action-focused message.

Present

Executive briefing simulation

Deliver a concise recommendation and respond to challenge from decision-makers.

Respond

Difficult-question practice

Handle objections, uncertainty and emotionally charged questions with discipline.

Influence

Coalition-building case

Plan ethical influence across formal and informal organisational networks.

Transfer

Communication strategy

Prepare a sequenced plan for an important workplace message or decision.

Course completion

Demonstrate participation, application and professional judgement.

  • Participate in stakeholder analysis and coached communication practice.
  • Complete the message-design and executive-briefing activities.
  • Give and receive constructive feedback.
  • Prepare an influence and communication strategy for a live priority.

Participant outputs

Typical course outputs include:

  • Stakeholder influence map.
  • Core message and supporting evidence structure.
  • Executive briefing outline.
  • Objection and question-response plan.
  • Channel and engagement sequence.
  • Workplace influence strategy.

Delivery options

Choose the format that fits your people and operating environment.

Instructor-led

Live Classroom

Face-to-face delivery with facilitated discussion, leadership cases, simulations, reflection and immediate feedback.

Instructor-led

Live Virtual Classroom

Interactive online delivery using collaborative workspaces, breakout activities, coached practice and guided application.

Flexible

Blended Learning

A structured combination of preparation, live sessions, workplace application, reflection, coaching and follow-up.

Organisation-specific

Corporate and In-Company

Tailored delivery using organisational terminology, leadership frameworks, cases and current priorities where appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

Course information and participation.

Is executive presence mainly about appearance or charisma?

No. The programme treats presence as credible, clear and context-aware behaviour supported by substance, preparation and judgement.

Does the course teach manipulation techniques?

No. Influence is approached ethically through trust, relevance, evidence, relationships and transparent decision support.

Will participants make presentations?

Yes. Participants practise concise briefings, stakeholder conversations and responses to difficult questions.

Is the course relevant to virtual communication?

Yes. The programme includes communication and influence considerations for virtual, hybrid and cross-boundary settings.

Can the course address technical-to-executive communication?

Yes. Corporate cohorts can use technical, project, commercial or transformation material to practise executive-level framing.

Take the next step

Communicate with clarity and influence decisions with credibility.

Discuss a public course or an organisation-specific programme built around the decisions, messages and stakeholder challenges that matter most.

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INDENTRA may adapt sequencing, exercises and examples to suit the delivery format and participant profile while preserving the stated learning outcomes. Any external examination, accreditation or third-party certification arrangement applies only when explicitly confirmed for the specific offering.