High-Impact Communication and Influence
Drive leadership impact through presence and effective communication
Benefit from up to 14 percent savings on this learning journey
Embark on a comprehensive learning journey that blends two impactful programs from Wharton Executive Education to refine your executive presence, strengthen persuasive communication, and build communication intelligence for more effective leadership and decision making.
Communicate with intent and lead with presence to drive enterprise impact
In today’s business environment, where leadership credibility and communication shape outcomes as much as strategy, professionals must adopt a strategic approach to build trust with stakeholders, inspire teams, and navigate complex situations. The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education brings together the Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development program and the High-Impact Leadership Communication program into a comprehensive learning journey. This combined learning journey enables emerging leaders and senior professionals like you to strengthen your executive presence, build influence, and develop communication intelligence to lead with clarity and impact.
Led by renowned Wharton faculty, this integrated 12-week online journey blends experiential learning, live webinars, practical exercises, and strategies to leverage AI mindfully while elevating your impact and communication as a leader. You will define your leadership identity, craft persuasive messages, and build both a Leadership Communication Playbook and an Executive Presence and Influence Playbook. By the end of the program, you will have the tools, confidence, and judgment to lead with credibility, influence decisions, and drive measurable impact across your organization.
Program curriculum
The High-Impact Communication and Influence program is designed with the needs of busy senior executives and emerging leaders in mind. You will learn through video lectures, live webinars, case studies, applied frameworks, and interactive discussions guided by Wharton faculty. The integrated 12-week online learning journey combines experiential learning, practical applications, and collaboration within a diverse network of leaders, enabling you to strengthen your executive presence, build communication intelligence, and enhance your ability to influence outcomes.
Module 1: Introduction and Informal Influence
Module 2: Leading with Persuasive Communication
Module 3: Strengthening Your Leadership Presence
Module 4: Cultivating Informal Networks
Module 5: A Framework for Persuasion
Module 6: Persuasively Communicating Your Vision and Strategy
Module 1: The Foundations of Effective Communication
Module 2: Leadership Communication
Module 3: Deception, Trust, and Emotion
Module 4: Communication in the Digital Era
Module 5: Effective Communication with AI
Module 6: Communicating Under Pressure
Translate learning into action with leadership playbooks
Executive Presence and Influence Playbook
Build on the reflections and strategies developed throughout the program to define your leadership vision, and apply it to a real organizational context. Identify a specific area where you want to create impact, and design a clear, persuasive strategy to influence outcomes.
Through structured reflections and practical frameworks, you will articulate your leadership goals, guiding principles, and key stakeholders while developing an actionable plan with defined timelines and expected results. This playbook helps you strengthen your executive presence, build credibility, and align stakeholders to drive measurable impact.
Leadership Communication Playbook
Developed progressively across the six modules, the Leadership Communication Playbook serves as the culminating project of the program. In each module, you will complete a dedicated activity that helps you synthesize key concepts, tools, and reflections from your learning journey.
As these module-level inputs come together, you will build a cohesive and personalized communication tool kit. By the end of the program, you will have a practical playbook that sharpens your communication intelligence; supports sound judgment under pressure; and enables you to communicate effectively across audiences, channels, and high-stakes leadership situations.
What you will learn
The Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development program will enable you to:
Enhance your mindset and behaviors to expand your presence as an impactful leader
Understand the critical principles of effective leadership
Analyze rhetorical strategy to shape your ability to advance agendas
Apply strategic consideration to networking opportunities and build and maintain authentic connections
Construct a personal leadership narrative to set actionable goals
The High-Impact Leadership Communication program will enable you to:
Improve effectiveness and credibility as a leader by adapting your communication style across audiences and contexts
Drive alignment and impact through persuasive communication in professional and leadership settings
Strengthen trust and team engagement by listening actively and responding with intention
Enhance communication effectiveness by using digital platforms and AI tools responsibly
Build and sustain trust, empathy, and credibility by communicating with clarity under pressure
Why choose this multiprogram learning journey?
By enrolling in the High-Impact Communication and Influence program, you will gain the tools, strategies, and insights to strengthen your executive presence, enhance your communication intelligence, and influence outcomes with clarity and confidence. This comprehensive learning journey offers:
Video lectures
Live webinars and a faculty-led session
Real-world examples, practical tools, and reflections
Assignments and case studies
Polls and quizzes
Peer review and discussion
A comprehensive curriculum
Modern communication challenges
A Leadership Communication Playbook
An Executive Presence and Influence Playbook
Meet the faculty
Michael Useem
William and Jacalyn Egan Professor Emeritus of Management; Director, Wharton’s Center for Leadership and Change Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Michael Useem’s university teaching includes MBA and executive MBA programs on management and leadership. He offers programs on leadership and governance for managers in the U...
Cade Massey
Practice Professor, Operations, Information and Decisions, The Wharton School
Cade Massey’s research focuses on judgment under uncertainty — how, and how well, people predict what will happen in the future. His work draws on experimental and real-world ...
Maurice Schweitzer
Cecilia Yen Koo Professor; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Professor of Management, The Wharton School; Academic Director of Effective Decision Making, a Wharton Executive Education Program
Maurice Schweitzer is the Cecilia Yen Koo Professor and a professor of operations, information, and decisions and of management at the Wharton School of the University of Penn...
Daniel Rock
Assistant Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Daniel Rock is an assistant professor of operations, information, and decisions at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His research examines the economic eff...
Certificate
Upon completion of this program, you will receive three digital certificates from Wharton Executive Education. These include a certificate of completion each for the High-Impact Communication and Influence program, the High-Impact Leadership Communication program, and the Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development program.
Note: After successful completion of the online program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of The Wharton School.
This online certificate program does not confer alumni status, academic credit, or a degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In some cases, credits may count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
FAQs
The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education is designed for emerging leaders and senior professionals who want to strengthen their executive presence, enhance their communication intelligence, and influence outcomes in high-stakes environments. It combines two complementary programs — Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development and High-Impact Leadership Communication — to provide a comprehensive leadership learning experience.
Focused on strategic communication and leadership effectiveness, this program emphasizes clarity, credibility, and persuasion to help professionals align stakeholders, navigate complex situations, and drive meaningful organizational impact.
Choosing the best executive leadership communication program depends on the skills you want to develop and the leadership challenges you aim to address. The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education combines faculty expertise, a structured curriculum, and a global peer network to help leaders strengthen their executive presence, communicate strategically, and influence outcomes effectively.
The fee for the High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education is displayed at the top of this program page. It covers academic content, online coursework, and faculty interaction. Flexible payment options and early application benefits may also be available.
A leadership communication program can help professionals develop the clarity, confidence, and strategic thinking required to lead effectively. The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education builds these capabilities through structured frameworks, real-world applications, and peer learning, enabling you to communicate with intent and influence outcomes in complex business environments.
Participants in the High-Impact Communication and Influence program typically come from diverse professional backgrounds, including business, strategy, operations, and leadership roles. The program is best suited for professionals who are responsible for influencing decisions, managing stakeholders, and leading teams and who want to strengthen their executive presence and communication effectiveness.
Building executive presence and communication skills requires a combination of self-awareness, structured frameworks, and real-world practice. The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education helps you refine your leadership identity, adapt your communication across contexts, and develop persuasive strategies to influence outcomes and drive alignment.
Choosing a leadership communication program depends on the outcomes you want to achieve and the leadership challenges you face. Key factors include faculty expertise, curriculum depth, opportunities for application, and peer learning. The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education brings these elements together to help professionals strengthen their presence, communication intelligence, and leadership impact.
The return on investment of a leadership communication program depends on how effectively it enhances your ability to influence decisions and lead with credibility. The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education combines academic insight, practical tools, and experiential learning to help you communicate clearly, navigate high-stakes situations, and drive measurable impact.
Training for leadership roles requires more than functional expertise; it demands the ability to communicate strategically, influence stakeholders, and lead with confidence. The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education provides this preparation through faculty-led sessions, applied frameworks, and interactive learning experiences.
An executive leadership communication program is designed for professionals who want to improve how they communicate, influence, and lead in complex organizational environments. These programs focus on building clarity, credibility, and persuasion rather than technical communication skills.
The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education reflects this approach by helping you develop your communication intelligence, refine your executive presence, and apply structured frameworks to real-world leadership challenges.
A leadership communication and executive presence program is suited for professionals who are responsible for influencing decisions, managing stakeholders, and leading teams. It is particularly valuable for emerging leaders and senior professionals seeking to enhance their credibility and effectiveness.
The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education offers a structured learning journey that helps you strengthen your presence, communicate with intent, and lead with greater impact across diverse business contexts.
Choosing an executive leadership program depends on your career stage, leadership responsibilities, and the skills you want to develop. Consider factors such as faculty expertise, curriculum structure, and opportunities for practical application.
The High-Impact Communication and Influence program from Wharton Executive Education is designed to help professionals strengthen their executive presence, enhance their communication intelligence, and influence outcomes through a combination of academic rigor and real-world relevance.
How do I know if this program is right for me?
After reviewing the information on this program page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this program?
If there are any prerequisites for the program, they will be mentioned on this program page. For any additional queries, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org.
Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.
What is the typical class profile?
More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. 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 and networking experience.
What other dates will this program be offered in the future?
Kindly check this program page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.
How much time is required each week?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of this program page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this page.
How will my time be spent?
We have designed this program 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 program 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 program 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 program 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 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.
All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes, the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner, the cost of which is already included in the overall program fee.
A dedicated program 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 program participants?
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of this program page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.
This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program 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 program?
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 program content?
Yes, 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 program 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 may view them later.
Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?
Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.
What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?
The program fee is noted at the top of this program page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.
Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program page next to FEE).
Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do a bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.
I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?
Yes! Please email us with the details of the program 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 program you’re interested in enrolling in.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?
Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. 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 program?
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?
Program fees for Emeritus programs with Wharton 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 program refund and deferral policy?
For the program 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 Program advisors or call us at +1 680 205 5118 (US) / +44 185 845 9995 (UK) / +65 3135 1422 (SG).
Flexible payment options available.
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