Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence
Lead with authenticity. Influence with impact.
Programme overview: Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme
The Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education empowers managers, rising leaders and entrepreneurs like you with the advanced skills to navigate increasingly dispersed work environments where credibility, clarity and composure directly shape impact.
In today’s high-stakes business world, organisations seek leaders who can go beyond expertise, inspiring trust, influencing outcomes and modelling authenticity. Thus, executive presence is not optional — it is what differentiates leaders from being heard to being followed. This six-week online programme helps you strengthen your leadership brand, communicate with clarity and confidence, build influence strategies grounded in emotional intelligence, elevate your visibility and lead with authenticity.
Guided by Cambridge Judge Business School's renowned faculty, fellows and contributors, you will learn proven strategies that can be immediately applied to real-world settings, as well as case insights and practical assignments. By the end of the programme, you will have demonstrated your abilities through a video presentation and reflective report, ready to lead with greater impact and execute business decisions with confidence.
Key takeaways
The Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme will enable you to:
Lead with a stronger presence that earns trust and drives impact
Show up with clarity and composure using socially intelligent leadership tools
Shape an authentic leadership brand that reflects your values and strengths
Build a high-impact network that supports your influence and career growth
Inspire alignment through ethical, emotionally intelligent influence
Communicate your vision clearly and confidently through compelling storytelling
What will you learn in the Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme?
The Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme empowers you with an in-depth understanding of how presence and authenticity shape effective leadership. Through a focused curriculum, you will learn to apply emotional intelligence, hone your communication skills and build a clearly defined leadership brand grounded in your values and strengths. Moreover, you will implement these insights in real-world business scenarios, supporting sustained presence and influence across career stages.
Discover what drives executive presence and how it shapes leadership effectiveness while learning to prioritise the dimensions most critical to your success.
Learn to apply emotional intelligence and social awareness to sustain presence across key career moments, transitions and conflict situations.
Build a leadership brand grounded in your strengths and values, and learn how to communicate it clearly across audiences and channels.
Design and grow a professional network aligned with your long-term goals, and learn how to assess and evolve it for career and organisational success.
Explore ethical influence strategies rooted in emotional intelligence, and apply them to create alignment, action and organisational benefit.
Learn how to deliver compelling messages with clarity, authenticity and storytelling to inspire trust and communicate vision effectively.
Application-based learning: Capstone project
This executive presence programme culminates in a final capstone project that allows you to integrate all your learning into a compelling introduction, reflecting your refined leadership brand. You will imagine stepping into a new leadership role to demonstrate your executive presence, convey your leadership brand and share your vision for the future.
Why Executive Presence and Leadership programme from CJBS Executive Education?
The Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme offers deep insights into leadership presence, influence and communication. The practical curriculum translates established research into actionable tools that you can use to define your leadership brand, build strong networks and communicate your vision with clarity and impact. Through this leadership development programme’s flexible online format, you will develop a forward-looking approach to executive presence alongside a global cohort of leaders from diverse industries and experience levels.
Ranked among the world’s top business schools, Cambridge Judge Business School transforms leaders, organisations and society through high-impact education. We combine world-class research with real-world relevance. Our programmes attract diverse, ambitious leaders looking to foster innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurial thinking and help them gain the skills and confidence required to lead, inspire and make a global impact.
Frameworks and tools for Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence
The Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme offers several practical frameworks and tools to help you gain an in-depth understanding of leadership styles and influence strategies and hone your core skills to build a strong leadership brand. Here are some frameworks and tools included in the curriculum:
Sheryl Sandberg’s theory of bringing your whole self to work
Herminia Ibarra on prioritising action and experimentation as a leader over thinking and introspection
Jane Frasier on fitting in while emboldening others
Stanley Milgram’s experiments and six degrees of separation (understanding the importance of strong and weak ties)
Cialdini's principles of influence, particularly social proof
Churchill’s principles for sharp and striking writing
Orwell's six rules of effective writing
Aristotle's concept of ethos, pathos and logos
What will the learning experience be like?
Apply concepts to build executive presence, leadership brand and influence strategies through assignments and frameworks.
Test knowledge of concepts and understand real-world applications through discussions, assignments and knowledge checks.
Join faculty, cohort peers and contributors for live Q&A sessions to gain deeper insights into executive presence and leadership for influence.
Gain insights from leaders and experts as they share experiences of executive presence, influence and communication in practice.
Create a video presentation and reflective report that showcases your leadership brand and vision for future opportunity.
Participate in discussion boards to share experiences and learnings with a global cohort of peers.
Meet the faculty and contributors
Professor of Organisational Sociology and Leadership, Cambridge Judge Business School
At Cambridge Judge Business School, Thomas Roulet teaches leadership and social psychology and advises organisations on culture, change and remote work. His research focuses o...
People and Culture Leader; Fellow, Cambridge Judge Business School
Smaranda Gosa-Mensing brings more than 20 years of global experience in senior HR and leadership roles. As an Executive Coach and Faculty Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business Sc...
Journalist and Communication Consultant
Simon Hall leads a multi-award-winning course in public speaking, storytelling and writing at the University of Cambridge. Named one of the United Kingdom’s top ten communicat...
Guest speaker
Organisational Behaviourist
As an Organisational Behaviourist, Pippa Halley helps leaders create purpose-driven, high-performing workplaces through effective communication and people engagement. With exp...
Certificate
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be awarded a digital certificate of completion from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education.
FAQs
What is the Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education?
The Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme is a six-week online programme designed to empower managers, rising leaders and entrepreneurs with the essential skills and tools to navigate increasingly dispersed, high-stakes environments. The programme equips participants to hone the leadership skills that define credibility and impact, such as building an authentic leadership brand, developing influence strategies grounded in emotional intelligence and communicating their vision impactfully.
How do I know if the Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme is right for me?
The Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme is ideal for:
- Managers and rising leaders seeking skills to influence and inspire others
- Transitioning leaders aiming to gain stakeholder trust and lead effectively from day one
- Entrepreneurs and business owners looking to align and motivate teams and strengthen their leadership brands
- Professionals across industries seeking practical, research-based tools to elevate executive presence, ethical influence and relationship building in real-world contexts
What is the typical class profile?
The Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme attracts a diverse cohort of professionals. More than 50% of our participants are from outside the UK. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry and geography, leading to a very rich peer learning experience.
Are there any prerequisites for this programme?
Some programmes do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the programme landing page as well as in the programme brochure. If you are uncertain about programme prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance. Note that unless otherwise stated on the programme web page, all programmes are taught in English, and proficiency in English is required.
What is the best executive presence course to take?
The best executive presence course for you depends on your goals. If you are looking to define the core dimensions of executive presence, develop socially intelligent leadership practices, design an authentic leadership brand and apply ethical influence strategies, the Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education is a comprehensive choice.
On what other dates will this programme be offered in the future?
Future dates for the Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme will be listed on the programme web page once confirmed. You may also email us to enquire about upcoming offerings.
What are the requirements to earn a certificate?
This authentic leadership programme is graded one. You will be required to complete a combination of individual assignments, quizzes and a final project. Each component carries a certain number of points, and a cumulative score of 75% is required to pass and obtain your professional certificate.
Will I be guaranteed a job upon completion of the programme?
The primary objective of this programme is to give you the skills you need to be prepared for a job in this field. While eligible participants will receive career coaching and support and may receive introductions to our hiring partners, job placement is not guaranteed.
Which programme is best for developing leadership presence and influence?
For professionals seeking to strengthen their leadership presence and influence, the Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education is among the top options. It combines faculty expertise, practical application and a capstone project to help you demonstrate the qualities of a leader prepared to inspire and drive meaningful impact.
Is Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education good for leadership development?
Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education is recognised globally for its expertise in leadership development. The Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme blends research-based frameworks, case insights and hands-on assignments to enable participants to strengthen their leadership presence, credibility and influence in today's dynamic workplace.
How much time is required each week?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the ‘Duration’ section as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will my time be spent?
We have designed this programme to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities, including:
- Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
- Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific programme schedule
- Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
- Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
- Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
- Completing your final project, if required
The programme is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on programme activities.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 350,000 learners across 80 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90% of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programmes said that their learning outcomes were ‘met’ or ‘exceeded’.
All the contents of the programme will be made available to participants at its commencement. However, to ensure the programme delivers the desired learning outcomes, participants may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the programme in a cohort-based manner, the cost of which is already included in the overall programme fee.
A dedicated programme support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
How do I interact with other programme participants?
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
Are certificates from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education worth it?
Certificates from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education are recognised globally. Completing this authentic leadership programme indicates your ability to define core dimensions of executive presence, develop socially intelligent leadership practices, design an authentic leadership brand, build high-impact networks and apply ethical influence strategies to inspire and drive action.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enrol. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the ‘Duration’ section as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programmes are designed to fit into your working life.
This Executive Presence and Leadership for Influence programme is scored as a pass or no-pass. Participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programmes include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain a passing status. This information will be noted in the programme brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific programme requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a smart digital certificate. This digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter or resume and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the programme, once grading is complete.
Can I get a hard copy of the certificate?
Only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social networking platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Do I receive alumni status after completing this programme?
There is no alumni status granted for this programme. In some cases, there are credits that count towards a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the programme brochure.
For how long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and programme materials for 12 months following the programme start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
What equipment or technical requirements are there for this programme?
Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files and transcripts.
Do I need to be online to access the programme content?
The learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access programme content from a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you can view them later.
Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?
You can register up to seven days after the published start date of the programme without missing any of the core programme material or learning.
What is the programme fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?
The programme fee is noted at the top of this programme web page and usually referenced in the programme brochure as well.
- Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this programme web page next to FEE).
- If you apply by an early deadline, you may receive a programme fee benefit. If you believe you may qualify for other discounts, please check with your programme adviser to confirm the applicable discount that will provide the greatest benefit and if there are specific terms and conditions for use. For more information, please connect with a learning adviser or email learner.success@emeritus.org. learner.success@emeritus.org.
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?
You can do the bank remittance in the programme currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your programme adviser or email us for details.
I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?
Please email us with the details of the programme you are interested in, and we will assist you.
How can I obtain an invoice for payment?
Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific programme you are interested to enrol for.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this programme?
The flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the programme fee in instalments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.
How can I obtain a W9 form?
Please connect with us via email for assistance.
Who will be collecting the payment for the programme?
Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides learner enrolment and programme support and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the programme?
Programme fees for Emeritus programmes with Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
What is the programme refund and deferral policy?
For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or schedule a call with one of our programme advisers or call us at +44 203 479 4043 (UK) / +1 315 819 0707(US) / +65 3163 8580 (SG)
Flexible payment options available.
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