Influence with Confidence at Work
Overview
What if you could influence outcomes confidently without manipulation pressure or politics?
Every day at work decisions are made that affect your projects, your team and your success, often by people you do not directly manage.
You may have strong ideas, sound evidence and positive intent yet still struggle to gain buy in or move conversations forward. For many professionals influence feels uncomfortable or political particularly in values driven public sector and professional environments.
Influence with Confidence at Work is designed for professionals who want to influence outcomes with credibility, integrity and confidence without compromising their values. It supports participants to communicate more persuasively, handle resistance constructively and approach important conversations with greater clarity and assurance.
Rather than relying on pressure tactics or artificial techniques the course helps delegates develop an ethical, confident approach to influence that feels authentic and appropriate to their role and organisation.
Learning Outcomes
- Equip learners with an understanding of cognitive biases in decision making and their harmful and beneficial uses at work.
- Apply Cialdini’s 7 Principles of Influence to real-world business challenges.
- Provide practical tools and tips for better, faster, and more influential conversations and outcomes that can be applied immediately.
- Leave with a wealth of practical techniques for influencing outcomes in your favour, ethically and confidently.
Agenda
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Welcome & objectives
Introductions, objectives, working agreements, and what ‘ethical persuasion’ means in practice.
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Session 1: How humans make decisions (and why you need to know)
Benchmark: quick self-assessment of influence skills; Kahneman’s System 1 & System 2; why bias shows up at work; recognising common biases and reducing harmful effects.
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Break
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Session 2: Preparing to influence
Mindset, beliefs and approach; foundations of influence: confident and clear communication (virtual, written and in-person); short practice drills using real workplace examples.
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Lunch
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Session 3: Cialdini’s 7 Principles of Influence
Principles overview, common uses and misuses; applying the principles ethically; small-group practice: ‘which principle and why?’ scenarios.
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Break
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Session 4: Situations, case studies & practical exercises
Tactfully saying ‘no’; managing upwards; communicating and managing change; leading with impact; managing team performance; handling objections; negotiating win–win; winning over stakeholders/clients/colleagues (incl. sales conversations where relevant).
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Session 5: Action planning & ‘Toolkit Takeaway’
Personal action plan (next 30 days); toolkit of phrases, frameworks and checklists; peer coaching and commitments.
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Close
Review learning outcomes, Q&A, evaluation and next steps.
Get in Touch
Book Now
- Public Sector £550 + VAT
- Private Sector £620 + VAT
- Voluntary Sector £480 + VAT
Trainer
James Rose
James Rose is a seasoned expert in customer experience, leadership, and influence, with over a decade of guiding organisations to improve performance and stakeholder engagement. As the Director of CXPeople Ltd and a founding member of the UK Cialdini Institute, he specialises in ethical persuasion, helping professionals communicate persuasively and confidently without manipulation or undue pressure. His work is rooted in principles like Cialdini’s 7 Principles of Influence, which he applies to real-world challenges to foster authentic, win-win outcomes. James’s approach emphasizes integrity, credibility, and clarity, enabling individuals and organizations to handle resistance, make better decisions, and build strong relationships—whether in legal, public sector, or corporate environments.
Drawing from his training in ethical influence and persuasive communication, James equips professionals with practical techniques to navigate complex conversations, manage objections, and influence stakeholders effectively. His expertise in understanding cognitive biases and applying influence principles ethically empowers clients to make impactful decisions, lead change, and enhance team performance with confidence. By integrating these insights into everyday work, James helps organisations transform their influence strategies into authentic, value-driven interactions that foster trust and long-term success.
