Persuasive Communication and Stakeholder Influence

Why Persuasive Communication Matters?
In today’s complex organisational environments, technical expertise alone is not enough. Success depends on your ability to communicate ideas clearly and secure buy-in for action.
This course equips professionals with the tools to translate insight into impact through persuasive writing, engaging presentations, and strategic stakeholder communication.

What You Will Gain

• Communicate complex ideas with clarity and confidence
• Influence decisions and gain stakeholder buy-in
• Strengthen your professional writing and presentation skills
• Build credibility and authority in high-stakes situations
• Engage and persuade diverse audiences effectively

Who is this for?
This programme is ideal for professionals who need to communicate with impact, including:

• Consultants and advisors
• Managers and team leaders
• Project coordinators and programme leads
• Executives and senior professionals
• Anyone working across teams or stakeholder groups

If your role involves influencing decisions, leading change, or communicating across functions, this course is for you.

Key Learning Themes

• Persuasive Communication
• Stakeholder Influence
• Storytelling for Impact
• Strategic Messaging

Interactive and Practical Learning
This highly interactive one-day programme combines:

• Real-world case discussions
• Hands-on exercises
• Individual and group activities
• Immediate feedback and reflection

You will leave with practical tools you can apply immediately.

By the End of the Day, You Will Be Able To:

• Deliver persuasive messages with confidence
• Structure compelling arguments for different audiences
• Communicate effectively under pressure
• Influence stakeholders and decision-making processes
• Present ideas in a clear, engaging, and impactful way

Course Lead
Professor Jeni Giambona 
Professor Jeni Giambona is Professor of Systems Thinking and the Associate Dean of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at the University of Southampton Business School. As such, she leads USBS’s development of collaborations with both external organisations from all sectors and the wider public to further the development and impact of the School’s teaching and research. 
Jeni’s activities focus on the development and implementation of external engagement strategies for collaborative partnerships, impact and dissemination, on building relationships with external stakeholders and co-creation activities.   
Research interests

• Systems thinking and approaches
• Identity building
• Narratives and storytelling
• Trust as collaborative enabler