Managing Upwards, Influence and Stakeholder Buy-in
Our Organisational Development workshops support organisations to think bigger about performance, culture and change. This section focuses on the wider systems, behaviours and leadership dynamics that shape organisational effectiveness — from culture and alignment to senior team effectiveness and strategic development.
Managing Upwards, Influence and Stakeholder Buy-in
Workshop Aim
To help leaders build the influence, stakeholder awareness and organisational credibility needed to gain support for ideas, priorities and decisions. Strengthen the skills required to manage upwards effectively, influence without formal authority and secure stronger stakeholder buy-in.
Learning Objectives
Understand the role of upward influence and stakeholder buy-in in senior leadership effectiveness
Understand the role of upward influence and stakeholder buy-in in senior leadership effectiveness
Recognise how power, interest and organisational dynamics shape influence and decision-making
Recognise how power, interest and organisational dynamics shape influence and decision-making
Identify the behaviours and approaches that build credibility, trust and support without relying on formal authority
Identify the behaviours and approaches that build credibility, trust and support without relying on formal authority
Develop practical strategies to manage upwards, influence stakeholders and gain stronger alignment around priorities and decisions
Develop practical strategies to manage upwards, influence stakeholders and gain stronger alignment around priorities and decisions
Course content
Using Cialdini’s principles of influence to understand how reciprocity, social proof, authority, consistency, liking and scarcity can strengthen ethical influence and persuasive impact
Using Cialdini’s principles of influence to understand how reciprocity, social proof, authority, consistency, liking and scarcity can strengthen ethical influence and persuasive impact
Applying stakeholder mapping approaches such as the Power/Interest Grid and Mendelow’s Matrix to identify key stakeholders, assess influence and tailor communication and engagement strategies
Applying stakeholder mapping approaches such as the Power/Interest Grid and Mendelow’s Matrix to identify key stakeholders, assess influence and tailor communication and engagement strategies
Frameworks for the difference between managing upwards, influencing without authority and stakeholder buy-in, and why all three matter in more senior roles
Frameworks for the difference between managing upwards, influencing without authority and stakeholder buy-in, and why all three matter in more senior roles
Discussion tools for how organisational influence is shaped by credibility, trust, timing, relationships and the ability to align priorities to the needs of different stakeholders
Discussion tools for how organisational influence is shaped by credibility, trust, timing, relationships and the ability to align priorities to the needs of different stakeholders
Optional profiling tools that deepen the workshop experience
Insights Discovery Personal Profiles
Insights Discovery Personal Profiles
The Colour Works Leadership 360º
The Colour Works Leadership 360º
Insights Discovery Full Circle
Insights Discovery Full Circle
High Performance Coaching
High Performance Coaching
Insights Discovery Transformational Leadership
Insights Discovery Transformational Leadership
Delivery Options
This workshop can be delivered virtually or in person and can be tailored to your organisational language, culture and business context. It can sit as a stand-alone session or as part of a wider pathway, depending on the outcomes you want to achieve.
Potential Pathway options
We can combine similar modules to create a bespoke learning pathway for your teams and leaders.
How do senior leaders get better stakeholder buy-in?
Stakeholder buy-in usually improves when leaders understand different perspectives, frame messages well and influence with more credibility and clarity. This workshop helps build those capabilities.
What does managing upwards mean in practice?
Managing upwards is about building effective relationships with senior stakeholders, understanding priorities and influencing decisions without relying on authority alone.
Can this workshop help leaders influence across functions?
Yes. It is highly relevant for leaders who need to secure support, alignment or resources across teams, functions or senior stakeholder groups.
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