communicating with influence

Full-day module within the Leadership Pathway, for leaders who need to build trust and hold a consistent message under scrutiny - with boards, government, the public, or their own teams.

Focused on the difference between influence built on pressure and influence built on trust, and on staying clear and consistent when a message is challenged.

Marie Thake, Associate Trainer at Teamshaper
back to the leadership pathway

    • To understand the difference between authority and influence, and how each shows up in your own relationships.

    • To apply the Sun and Wind model to distinguish pressure-based persuasion from influence that earns genuine buy-in.

    • To hold a consistent, assertive message under scrutiny, without becoming defensive or aggressive.

    • To reframe challenge and pushback constructively, while holding the substance of the message.

  • 09:30 – 09:45
    Welcome and introductions
    Setting the tone for the module, reviewing pre-course themes and expectations.

    09:45 – 10:30
    What influence really is
    Exploring the difference between authority and influence, and where you currently rely on which.

    10:30 – 11:15
    The Sun and Wind story
    An influence model distinguishing pressure-based tactics from creating the conditions where people choose to change.

    11:15 – 11:30
    Break

    11:30 – 12:15
    Holding a consistent message under scrutiny
    Using assertive language ('I' statements) to stay clear and consistent when challenged.

    12:15 – 13:00
    Reframing under pressure
    Using positive language reframing to turn a defensive or negative moment constructive, without losing the message.

    13:00 – 13:45
    Lunch

    13:45 – 14:30
    Building trust across relationships
    Using the Golden Thread - vision to strategy to actions - so stakeholders see coherence over time, not just a single persuasive moment.

    14:30 – 15:15
    Live scrutiny scenario
    You rehearse holding your message under challenging questions, drawing on the Sun and Wind model and assertive language.

    15:15 – 15:30
    Break

    15:30 – 16:00
    Feedback and refinement

    16:00 – 16:30
    Commitments and close
    Agreeing what you will do differently from tomorrow, and how it connects to the shared standards set at pathway kickoff.

Lead - a Teamshaper training module