Leadership & Management

Executive Presence and Influence

Senior roles depend as much on how leaders are perceived as on what they know. This five-day course helps managers and executives build the credibility, composure and influence needed to lead meetings, win support for ideas and represent their organisation with confidence. Participants work on how they communicate under pressure, how they read and engage different stakeholders, and how they build trust across functions and levels. Practical exercises, peer feedback and recorded practice turn concepts into habits that can be applied immediately at work.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Many capable professionals are overlooked for senior responsibilities because their ideas do not land with decision-makers. This course helps you understand the components of executive presence, from gravitas and clarity to listening and composure, and gives you practical techniques to influence without formal authority. You will leave with a personal presence and influence plan built around the real situations you face.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course combines short facilitator inputs with practical exercises, recorded presentation practice, stakeholder mapping, role plays of difficult conversations and structured peer feedback. Participants apply each technique to scenarios from their own role and build a personal development plan over the five days.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the behaviours and signals that shape executive presence
Communicate key messages clearly and concisely to senior audiences
Map stakeholders and plan influence strategies for important decisions
Stay composed and credible in high-pressure meetings and challenging conversations
Use storytelling and evidence to win support for ideas and proposals
Create a personal plan to strengthen presence and influence at work

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Managers preparing for senior or executive roles
Heads of department and functional leaders
Project and programme leaders who work across functions
Technical specialists who present to senior stakeholders
High-potential professionals in leadership development programmes

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Executive communication
Stakeholder influence
Composure under pressure
Persuasive storytelling
Active listening and rapport
Personal brand and credibility

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Understanding Executive Presence

09:00–09:54Defining executive presence: gravitas, communication and appearance
09:54–10:48How senior stakeholders form judgements about credibility
10:48–11:00Self-assessment of current strengths and development areas
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Self-assessment of current strengths and development areas (continued)
12:12–13:06The link between presence, trust and influence
13:06–14:00Practical exercise: First-impression analysis using recorded introductions

Day 2Communicating with Clarity and Impact

09:00–09:54Structuring messages for senior audiences: the answer-first approach
09:54–10:48Using voice, pace and body language to reinforce key points
10:48–11:00Making complex information simple and memorable
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Making complex information simple and memorable (continued)
12:12–13:06Handling questions and interruptions with confidence
13:06–14:00Practical exercise: Delivering a three-minute executive briefing

Day 3Influence Without Authority

09:00–09:54Principles of persuasion and how decisions are made in organisations
09:54–10:48Stakeholder mapping: interests, influence and concerns
10:48–11:00Building coalitions and gaining early support for ideas
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Building coalitions and gaining early support for ideas (continued)
12:12–13:06Adapting influence style to different personalities
13:06–14:00Case study: Securing approval for a cross-functional initiative

Day 4Composure in Challenging Situations

09:00–09:54Managing pressure, nerves and emotional reactions
09:54–10:48Disagreeing constructively with senior colleagues
10:48–11:00Handling conflict, push-back and difficult questions
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Handling conflict, push-back and difficult questions (continued)
12:12–13:06Maintaining credibility when delivering unwelcome news
13:06–14:00Role play: Navigating a tense executive meeting

Day 5Building Your Leadership Brand

09:00–09:54Defining the reputation you want to build
09:54–10:48Visibility, networking and strategic relationships
10:48–11:00Using storytelling to communicate vision and values
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Using storytelling to communicate vision and values (continued)
12:12–13:06Creating habits that sustain presence over time
13:06–14:00Capstone: Personal executive presence and influence plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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