Influencing and Persuading Training in Saudi Arabia

Influence is one of the most critical skills for success in modern organisations. Professionals are expected to lead projects, shape decisions and secure support, often without formal authority. Yet even strong ideas can falter if resistance builds or messages fail to land.

This two-day workshop offers a clear, practical approach to influencing in real workplace contexts. Drawing on behavioural insights and hands-on practice, participants explore how to map stakeholder priorities, lower resistance and build trust. They craft resonant messages, apply tactics ethically and design follow-up actions that create momentum. By the end of the course, each participant leaves with greater confidence and a personalised influence impact plan ready to apply at work.

Prerequisites

Participants should have:
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. An open mindset and willingness to participate in interactive exercises will enhance the learning experience.

Target audience

Designed for professionals who influence across teams, projects and levels. Ideal for those leading work, shaping decisions or collaborating with others. Participants build confidence to adapt their approach, strengthen alignment and improve decision-making.

Learners will be able to:

• Describe the factors that shape influence without authority in real work contexts.
• Analyse stakeholder needs and priorities to inform your influencing approach.
• Identify triggers that create resistance and apply techniques to reduce them.
• Select appropriate influence tactics based on trust and risk dynamics.
• Craft messages that resonate using framing, tone, and storytelling.
• Design follow-up actions that minimise friction and support follow-through.
• Evaluate an unsuccessful influence attempt and revise your approach using MOVE.
• Develop a personal plan to influence effectively in a current or upcoming challenge.

Module 1: Ignite your influence
Explore the challenges of influencing without authority through discussion and reflection. Build awareness of why ideas succeed or fail and assess your personal influence style.

Module 2: Map their world
Use stakeholder mapping exercises to analyse relationships, pressures, and priorities. Gain tools to identify where influence matters most and how to create relevance.

Module 3: Lower the barriers
Examine what causes resistance and practise reframing language through realistic scenarios. Discover ways to reduce defensiveness and create open, constructive dialogue.

Module 4: Play the right card
Work with a grid of influence tactics to match approaches to different contexts. Practise applying these to realistic situations and build confidence in choosing the right tactic.

Module 5: Make messages land
Craft short, memorable messages using framing, tone, and storytelling. Test ideas with peers to strengthen engagement and make messages stick.

Module 6: Smooth the path to yes
Analyse why agreement doesn’t always lead to action through discussion and redesign tasks. Apply practical tools to reduce friction and make follow-up easier.

Module 7: Turn “no” into know-how
Reflect on challenging influence attempts and diagnose what went wrong. Practise recovery strategies to re-open dialogue and build resilience.

Module 8: Influence with impact
Bring everything together in a final simulation based on real workplace challenges. Apply your influence approach, receive feedback, and refine your action plan.

Exams and assessments

This course does not include a formal exam. Assessment is based on active participation, reflection, and completion of practical exercises, including the creation of a personal Influence Impact Plan.

Hands-on learning

Participants will engage through:

• Group discussion and reflection on influence challenges
• Scenario-based application of strategies in real-world contexts
• Peer exchange to share approaches and feedback
• Facilitator coaching to refine tactics and build confidence
• Toolkit development for practical application beyond the course