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MGT640: Strategies for Influencing Others

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Course summary:
Whether it’s an innovative breakthrough or a simple process improvement, making it happen requires commitment from others in the organization. The best way to gain this commitment is to have a strategy for each stakeholder. 
 
Course experience:
This course shows leaders and individual contributors how to package their ideas in a way that will win over even the most skeptical individuals. Participants learn strategies for efficiently capturing people’s attention, transforming their perspectives, and gaining their commitment to taking action.
 
Who should take this course?
Technical professionals wishing to earn Washington University's Technical Leadership Certificate. This course is designed to teach participants ways to increase their effectiveness with teams, in meetings and in individual discussion with peers, managers, vendors and customers.
 

Course outline:

  • Influence to Achieve Results: Facilitator reviews the context of influencing in today’s business world. The three components of influencing are introduced.
  • First Things First: Learners discuss the levels of commitment. The Commitment Worksheet is introduced, and learners list the names of their stakeholders. In pairs, they identify the current commitment level and what level is needed to move their ideas forward.
  • Seven Strategies: Seven strategies of influencing are introduced with learners discussing how to adapt strategies depending on the stakeholder. Learners participate in an activity based on one of the strategy, Consider Environmental Factors. Learners review the importance of gathering data and how it can be used when determining strategy. Through a video-based activity, learners gain an understanding of three other strategies they can use to gain commitment. Learners continue to work on their opportunity on their Commitment Worksheet.
  • Package Your Strategies: Facilitator uses a demonstration to illustrate how the best packaging engages hearts and minds. Learners watch a video to see the three packaging techniques in action. The debrief overviews the packaging technique of The Unexpected. In small groups, learners use the Paint the Picture technique to present an idea. The last technique, The Power of Questions, is reviewed and learners work in teams to generate provocative questions. They report out their questions to the rest of the group. Learners determine which packaging techniques will work with their stakeholders and then discuss with a partner.
  • Get Commitment to Act: Facilitator reviews the final steps in gaining commitment—Gauging Readiness and Agree on Next Steps. Referring back to the video, learners determine what clues might facilitate these last steps. Learners answer reflection questions and discuss what they will do differently going forward.

Learning outcomes:

  • Conduct everyday conversations that inspire their direct reports to achieve their personal best.
  • Nurture workplace relationships and grow trust.
  • Give feedback for improvement that’s more comfortable for themselves and their direct reports.
  • Convey clear expectations for what their direct reports should be achieving and how.
  • Champion a conversation-based approach to managing performance within their organization.
Type:
Virtual Classroom
 
Day & Time:
Monday August 7, 2023
3 to 7:00 p.m.
 
Enrollment Deadline:
July 31, 2023
 
Location:
Zoom
 
Course Fee(s):
$595
 
CEUs:
0.4
 
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Enrollment Deadline is July 31st, 2023 at 5 PM CST. Beyond this date, please call 314-935-4444 to register.

CANCELLATION POLICY
A full refund will be given when a registrant cancels more than five (5) business days prior to the start of the class. Cancellations received within 5 business days of the start of the class and no-shows will be billed in full. Another person may be substituted at any time at no additional charge.

A request to transfer a class to a future date can only occur if the request is more than 5 business days prior to the start of class.  Otherwise, the request will be considered a cancellation and the policy will apply.
Type:
On Campus Classroom
 
Day & Time:
Wednesday September 20, 2023
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
 
Enrollment Deadline:
September 13, 2023
 
Location:
Washington University
Lopata Hall, Room 511
 
Course Fee(s):
$595
 
CEUs:
0.4
 
add2cart-1
 

Enrollment Deadline is September 13th, 2023 at 5 PM CST. Beyond this date, please call 314-935-4444 to register.

CANCELLATION POLICY
A full refund will be given when a registrant cancels more than five (5) business days prior to the start of the class. Cancellations received within 5 business days of the start of the class and no-shows will be billed in full. Another person may be substituted at any time at no additional charge.
 
A request to transfer a class to a future date can only occur if the request is more than 5 business days prior to the start of class.  Otherwise, the request will be considered a cancellation and the policy will apply.

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Attention Boeing employees: The course section designated for Boeing is currently full. However, we invite you to register for any other available course section and still enjoy the same benefits, including all related discounts. Don't miss out on the opportunity to continue your professional development with us!

Accrediting Associations:

Applies toward the following certificates:

Technical Leadership Badge
Performance Management certificate
Have questions?
Contact us if you would like to speak with a program director or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
 
"Good practical knowledge everyone needs, and not just at work." MGT640: Strategies for Influencing Others