The Power of Presence
Regular price
$995.00
Sale
2027 Course Schedule
In-Person ($995): Feb 18, 2027; or September 23, 2027. Location is Indianapolis at 16 Tech from 9am-4pm ET
Online ($995): May 25-June 15, 2027 with live sessions on Tuesdays from Noon-1:30pm ET
Choose your learning experience!
In-person workshop: Spend the day collaborating with fellow professionals through instructor-led activities, facilitated discussion, and hands-on coaching.
OR
Live online program: Experience the same practical curriculum through a multi-week, live online format that provides additional opportunities for project development, peer collaboration, instructor feedback, and iterative refinement between sessions.
Discount pricing is available for partners and companies sending three or more participants as well as Kelley School and IU alumni & staff. Contact us at kelleypd@iu.edu for related discount codes to apply at check out.
At checkout you can pay via credit card or PayPal immediately or choose to be sent an invoice that will hold your spot in the course. Payment options are also available for employers purchasing for their employees (see below under "Ask your employer").
Payment is due prior to the course start date. Email kelleypd@iu.edu to learn about payment options or assistance with invoicing.
Ask your employer to help cover the cost. Select "Send My Employer an Invoice" during the Payment step of check out. Use this payment method to request that an invoice be sent to you or another financial representative who will be paying on your behalf. Unless otherwise directed, you are responsible for sending the invoice to your employer for payment. If you need additional instructions for sending the invoice, please contact your Kelley School representative or kelleypd@iu.edu.
Interested in bringing this program to your company or organization? Email kelleypd@iu.edu to discuss our custom program options.
Professional presence has evolved. While confidence and decisiveness remain essential leadership qualities, today’s most effective leaders are also expected to demonstrate authenticity, inclusiveness, respect for others, and a willingness to listen and learn. Professional presence is no longer about fitting a traditional leadership mold—it is about communicating in ways that inspire trust, instill confidence, create connection, and strengthen your ability to influence others with an authentic leadership approach.
POWER OF PRESENCE is a highly interactive, hands-on program designed to help leaders understand and strengthen the communication behaviors that shape how they are perceived and how effectively they lead. Through self-assessment, discussion, practical exercises, and real-world scenarios, participants will explore the 3 dimensions of executive & professional presence: gravitas, communication & appearance.
The program emphasizes that professional presence is not an innate trait; it is a learnable skill that can be developed through self-awareness, intentional practice, and feedback. Participants will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply in meetings, presentations, difficult conversations, stakeholder interactions, and other high-visibility moments, while remaining authentic to their own leadership style.
Key Course Components
Research-Based Professional Presence: students explore the evidence behind how leaders are perceived and how they can cultivate a compelling leadership image.
Crisis Communication Simulation: students learn to navigate high-stakes situations by crafting and delivering crisis communication strategies, culminating in a mock press interview with real-time peer and instructor feedback.
Strategic Communication for Decision-Making: students use empirical findings to build communication frameworks supporting executive-level strategic decision-making, aligning communication with corporate strategy, governance, and stakeholder needs.
Learning Objectives
- Build credibility and trust by combining confidence, competence, authenticity, and respect.
- Strengthen gravitas through intentional use of presence, posture, confidence, personal brand, and responses to challenging situations.
- Communicate with greater confidence and impact, including navigating difficult conversations and high-stakes interactions.
- Balance a strong point of view with a “listen-to-learn” approach that builds connection and encourages diverse perspectives.
- Adapt communication strategies to connect with and influence different audiences, whether in person or virtually.
- Increase their impact in meetings, presentations, stakeholder interactions, and other high-visibility situations.
- Create a personalized action plan for strengthening their professional presence and leadership influence.
Audience
Designed for current and emerging leaders, managers, professionals, and high-potential employees who want to strengthen their credibility, communication, and influence.
This program is particularly valuable for professionals who are stepping into greater leadership responsibility, increasing their visibility, navigating complex stakeholder relationships, or preparing for the next stage of their career.
The use of technology and AI tools will be embedded in the content. No technical background is required.