Course Overview

What will I learn?

• Recognize what makes someone influential. Identify what effective colleagues do to gain attention, build credibility, and influence decisions—and learn how to apply those behaviors yourself.
• Make a clear, convincing case. Present a recommendation, explain your reasoning, show why it matters, and make a specific request without getting lost in details.
• Understand your audience and earn buy-in. Adapt your message to the priorities, concerns, and interests of managers, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Move beyond explaining to persuading. Learn the difference between presenting an argument, persuading someone to support an idea, and negotiating when interests differ.
• Handle questions, objections, and disagreement. Respond to pushback without becoming defensive, keep conversations constructive, and find ways to move forward.
• Practice with real situations at work. Bring your own workplace challenges, rehearse difficult conversations in class and with AI-supported practice, and apply what you learn between sessions.