Women in LeadershipAdvanced Women in Leadership Masterclass: Strategic Influence at the Top
At senior level the obstacles change: the question is no longer whether a woman is heard in a meeting but whether she is in the conversations where decisions are shaped before the meeting. This masterclass works at that level. Delegates work through influence beyond formal authority, and mapping where decisions in their organisation are actually made. Building and using political capital is covered without euphemism. Sponsorship is addressed as something both received and given, and as different from mentoring. Negotiating for scope, resources and terms follows. Leading through other leaders is covered, including holding peers to account. Board and shareholder engagement is addressed. The specific exposures of visible senior women are treated honestly, including scrutiny and the cost of being first. The course closes on succession, on what to build that outlasts the role, and on deciding what the next move is for.
Course objectives
- Map where decisions in the organisation are actually shaped
- Exercise influence beyond formal authority
- Build and spend political capital deliberately
- Give and receive sponsorship, distinct from mentoring
- Negotiate for scope, resources and terms
- Lead through other leaders and hold peers to account
- Engage boards and shareholders, and plan what outlasts the role
Who should attend
- Senior managers and directors preparing for executive committee roles
- General managers and heads of function in large or complex organisations
- Women on formal succession plans for C suite positions
- Board members and non executive directors seeking sharper strategic tools
- Senior leaders in state owned enterprises and regulated industries
Course outline
- 01Before the meeting, not in it
- 02Where decisions are actually shaped
- 03Influence beyond authority
- 04Political capital
- 05Sponsorship given and received
- 06Negotiating scope, resources and terms
- 07Leading through leaders
- 08Boards, scrutiny, succession and the next move
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 to 9 December 2026 | Port Louis, Mauritius | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 27 to 29 January 2027 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 29 to 31 March 2027 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |