Effecting change in others is a constant for any leader who is seeking sustainable impact. The ability to influence across the leadership system and across cultures demands incredible flexibility.
The influential leader can adapt their styles, messaging and communication to bring a sense of proximity where there is geographical distance. They demonstrate a great flexibility in connection and communication across a complex matrix of topics, organisations and channels, often in the course of just one working day. Such agile influencing skills must also be grounded in the deepest and most consistent sense of authenticity, if the change that is made is to last.
About this programme
The Influential Leader is a one-day leadership programme designed to equip senior leaders with the capability to influence across complex leadership systems — internally and externally, locally and globally, online and face-to-face.
Effecting change in others is a constant for leaders seeking sustainable impact. Today’s leadership environment demands the ability to influence across cultures, geographies, power dynamics, and stakeholder agendas — often within the course of a single working day. This programme develops the flexibility, presence, and strategic clarity required to do so effectively.
Grounded in authenticity, systems thinking, and adaptive leadership, The Influential Leader enables participants to influence without force, manipulation, or over-reliance on authority. Leaders learn how to adapt their style, message, and medium while remaining deeply consistent in who they are and what they stand for — ensuring influence that endures.
Who should attend
This programme is designed for:
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Senior leaders and executives
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Board members and trustees
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Leaders operating in complex, global, or matrixed environments
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Leaders engaging with regulators, NGOs, media, governments, and competitors
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Leaders responsible for change, transformation, or external impact
It is particularly relevant for leaders whose influence extends beyond their formal authority and into wider organisational, societal, and planetary systems.
Content
1: Influence in a Complex Leadership System
- Understanding influence beyond hierarchy and role
- Mapping the modern leadership and stakeholder system
- Influence as a relational, systemic capability
2: Authentic Influence and Leadership Integrity
- The role of authenticity in sustainable influence
- Aligning personal values, leadership identity, and intent
- Why inconsistency erodes trust and impact
3: Stakeholder Awareness and Strategic Positioning
- Understanding stakeholder needs, power, and perspective
- Influencing employees, peers, competitors, NGOs, media, and government
- Adapting positioning without compromising purpose
4: Adaptive Communication and Message Design
- Tailoring message, tone, and framing for different audiences
- Influencing across cultures, channels, and contexts
- Creating proximity and connection across distance
5: Influence in High-Stakes and Visible Contexts
- Influencing under scrutiny and pressure
- Leading conversations where stakes, risk, or reputation are high
- Navigating disagreement, resistance, and competing agendas
6: Sustaining Influence and Change
- Moving from momentary influence to lasting change
- Embedding influence through relationships, narrative, and follow-through
- Defining personal influence commitments and next steps
This programme can be supported with one-to-one executive coaching on personal impact and influence
The natural leadership shift
From authority-based influence to relationship and credibility-based influence
From one-size fits all communication to adaptive, stakeholder-tailored influence
From influencing through control to influencing through connection and trust
From static influencing style and habits to flexibility in situational leadership presence
From short-term persuasion to driving sustained influence and change
Benefits and outcomes
1. The individual leader
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Enhanced executive authority and credibility when influencing at the most senior levels, internally and externally
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Greater strategic agility in adapting influence style, message, and presence across cultures, geographies, and power systems
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Deepened authenticity and consistency, enabling influence that is trusted, durable, and aligned with personal and organisational values
2. The organisation’s purpose
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Increased ability to mobilise stakeholders around the organisation’s purpose, strategy, and long-term direction
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Stronger alignment between leadership intent, public positioning, and organisational action
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Improved effectiveness in shaping outcomes across complex stakeholder landscapes, including regulators, partners, NGOs, and the media
3. The sector
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Greater capacity to influence sector-wide dialogue, standards, and direction
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Enhanced organisational legitimacy and leadership presence within the wider ecosystem
- More credible and sustained contribution to societal and planetary outcomes beyond organisational boundaries