Overview
Influence is one of the most critical skills for success in modern organisations. Professionals are expected to lead projects, shape decisions and secure support, often without formal authority. Yet even strong ideas can falter if resistance builds or messages fail to land.
This two-day workshop offers a clear, practical approach to influencing in real workplace contexts. Drawing on behavioural insights and hands-on practice, participants explore how to map stakeholder priorities, lower resistance and build trust. They craft resonant messages, apply tactics ethically and design follow-up actions that create momentum. By the end of the course, each participant leaves with greater confidence and a personalised influence impact plan ready to apply at work.
Prerequisites
Participants should have:
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. An open mindset and willingness to participate in interactive exercises will enhance the learning experience.
Target audience
Designed for professionals who influence across teams, projects and levels. Ideal for those leading work, shaping decisions or collaborating with others. Participants build confidence to adapt their approach, strengthen alignment and improve decision-making.
Learning outcomes
Learners will be able to:
- Describe the factors that shape influence without authority in real work contexts.
- Analyse stakeholder needs and priorities to inform your influencing approach.
- Identify triggers that create resistance and apply techniques to reduce them.
- Select appropriate influence tactics based on trust and risk dynamics.
- Craft messages that resonate using framing, tone, and storytelling.
- Design follow-up actions that minimise friction and support follow-through.
- Evaluate an unsuccessful influence attempt and revise your approach using MOVE.
- Develop a personal plan to influence effectively in a current or upcoming challenge.
What will the course cover?
Module 1: Ignite your influence
Explore the challenges of influencing without authority through discussion and reflection. Build awareness of why ideas succeed or fail and assess your personal influence style.
Module 2: Map their world
Use stakeholder mapping exercises to analyse relationships, pressures, and priorities. Gain tools to identify where influence matters most and how to create relevance.
Module 3: Lower the barriers
Examine what causes resistance and practise reframing language through realistic scenarios. Discover ways to reduce defensiveness and create open, constructive dialogue.
Module 4: Play the right card
Work with a grid of influence tactics to match approaches to different contexts. Practise applying these to realistic situations and build confidence in choosing the right tactic.
Module 5: Make messages land
Craft short, memorable messages using framing, tone, and storytelling. Test ideas with peers to strengthen engagement and make messages stick.
Module 6: Smooth the path to yes
Analyse why agreement doesn’t always lead to action through discussion and redesign tasks. Apply practical tools to reduce friction and make follow-up easier.
Module 7: Turn “no” into know-how
Reflect on challenging influence attempts and diagnose what went wrong. Practise recovery strategies to re-open dialogue and build resilience.
Module 8: Influence with impact
Bring everything together in a final simulation based on real workplace challenges. Apply your influence approach, receive feedback, and refine your action plan.
Exams and assessments
This course does not include a formal exam. Assessment is based on active participation, reflection, and completion of practical exercises, including the creation of a personal Influence Impact Plan.
Hands-on learning
Participants will engage through:
- Group discussion and reflection on influence challenges
- Scenario-based application of strategies in real-world contexts
- Peer exchange to share approaches and feedback
- Facilitator coaching to refine tactics and build confidence
- Toolkit development for practical application beyond the course
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course.
Once you have purchased the Online course and have completed your registration, you will receive the necessary details to enable you to immediately access it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.