Starbuck Academy · Grow
Influence and Communication
Be heard, bring people with you, stay calm under pressure
A practical online programme for anyone who wants more impact at work, whether or not they manage people. In ten short video lessons you build emotional intelligence, presence and the ability to influence without authority, with a practical tool for each lesson.
Why influence and communication matter
Most of the support we need at work comes from people we do not manage, and a job title only gets you so far. Whether people listen depends on how you show up, how clearly you speak and how well you understand them, especially when the pressure is on. These are skills that can be practised, one conversation at a time. This course gives you a practical tool for each one, used on real work in your own week.
Who it is for
For individuals at any level who want more impact, from specialists whose ideas deserve a better hearing to managers and leaders who need support across teams. You do not need to manage people to take it.
What you will be able to do
- Understand why people listen to you, and where your impact could grow
- Notice, name and manage your own reactions, especially under pressure
- Read others more accurately and show that you understand them
- Show up with calm presence in the room, online and in writing
- Make your point clearly and briefly
- Influence people you do not manage, build a case and say no well
Ten lessons
What makes people listen to you
The four reasons people listen, credibility, connection, clarity and consistency, and an Impact Snapshot to see where you stand.
Emotional intelligence: knowing yourself
Where the idea comes from, why feelings are information, and an Emotion Log to name what you feel more precisely.
Managing your reactions under pressure
Knowing your triggers, pausing before you speak and checking the story you are telling, with a Pause Plan.
Reading others with empathy
Listening for content, feeling and need, checking your assumptions, and the Other Side Sheet.
Presence in the room and online
Preparation, body and voice, attention, video calls and written messages, with a Meeting Presence Checklist.
Speaking with clarity and brevity
Finding your point, putting it first and stopping when you have finished, using the PREP Planner.
Influencing without authority
Understanding what others need, what you can offer and how to build relationships early, with a Stakeholder Needs Map.
Building a case and handling objections
Framing proposals around others' priorities, making yes easy and responding well to doubts.
Handling challenge and saying no well
Staying curious under challenge, answering hard questions and saying no with an alternative, using the Pushback Planner.
Your influence plan
Choosing the reputation you want, the relationships to invest in and the habits that keep your influence growing.
What is included
Ten short video lessons you can watch on any device, workbook pages and a practical tool for every lesson, the full Influence and Communication workbook to download, a five-question knowledge check per lesson, a certificate of completion showing 6 estimated learning hours, and 12 months’ access. An annual subscription of £149 per person, per year inc. VAT.
How your learning time adds up
Your 6 estimated learning hours are made up across ten lessons of about 36 minutes each:
- Watching the ten short lesson videos: about 30 minutes (about 3 minutes each)
- Reading the lesson notes and workbook pages: about 1 hour 40 minutes (10 minutes each)
- Working through the practical tool for each lesson: about 1 hour 40 minutes (10 minutes each)
- Planning and carrying out each workplace task: about 1 hour 40 minutes (10 minutes each)
- Completing the five-question knowledge check after each lesson: about 30 minutes (3 minutes each)
Total: 6 estimated learning hours.
Knowledge checks: every lesson or module ends with a short multiple choice knowledge check. The pass mark is 80% and you can retake a knowledge check as many times as you need.
Who designed it
This programme was designed by ICF credentialed coaches at Starbuck & Associates, led by Paul Starbuck, our Founder and CEO and an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC). Every lesson draws on our coaching and leadership development work with organisations in the UK, Europe and around the world, and each programme is reviewed regularly to keep it current.
Before you start
This course is general learning and development content and is not professional advice. Always follow your own organisation’s policies, and take specialist advice on legal, medical, financial or HR matters.
