Manager of Managers_Leading Up, Down and Out

Overview

Manager of Managers: Gaining Appreciation and Leading Out, Up, and Down is an intermediate-level course designed for people leaders who want to elevate their leadership visibility, influence, and strategic communication. In senior roles, leading isn't just about managing direct reports—it’s about shaping perceptions, aligning stakeholders, and communicating impact across the organization. In this course, you'll learn how to project executive presence, tailor your leadership approach across hierarchical levels, and tell compelling stories that highlight your value and strategic contribution. You'll explore practical tools like the Influence Matrix and narrative frameworks to gain traction upward, downward, and laterally—especially when authority alone isn't enough. Through concise videos, real-world case studies, interactive hands-on activities, and Coach-supported reflection, you'll develop the presence, messaging, and influence skills needed to lead through others and earn appreciation for the impact you create.

Syllabus

Lesson 1: Command the Room: Cultivating Executive Presence

In this introductory lesson, the learners will explore what it means to “command the room” without dominating it. This lesson breaks down executive presence into actionable behaviors—poise, clarity, empathy, and gravitas—and gives learners the tools to project authority while remaining authentic. Learners will gain insight into how executive presence supports trust-building, leadership perception, and influence, especially when stakes are high.

Lesson 2: Leading in 360°: Influence Up, Down, and Across

Leadership isn't linear—it flows in all directions. This lesson teaches learners how to lead upward (to senior execs), downward (to teams), and outward (to peers and partners). It explores how to shift tone, message framing, and strategy based on the audience’s needs, power dynamics, and expectations.

Lesson 3: Making Your Impact Known: Strategic Storytelling and Reporting

Even great leadership needs a voice. This lesson helps learners communicate their leadership contributions by crafting strategic narratives, framing team impact, and linking their work to business outcomes. The focus is on visibility that uplifts—not self-promotion—and on telling stories that move audiences to understand, align, and invest.