Persuasion: Influencing Without Authority

Influence isnt just a soft skillits a strategic advantage. Our

Persuasion: Influencing Without Authority

program unlocks the science behind changing mindsone decision at a time. This dynamic, high-impact program is designed for executives who must lead, inspire, and move others without relying on formal authority. Whether influencing in the boardroom, navigating cross-functional initiatives, or aligning stakeholders around strategic priorities, this program delivers a powerful framework for persuasion grounded in behavioral science and real-time application.

Led by Robert N. Bontempo, Academic Director in Executive Education, the program blends cutting-edge research with real-world application. Bontempo is a trusted advisor to executives at Goldman Sachs, Boeing, Glaxo-Wellcome, NASA, and the US State Department. Named one of the top MBA professors in the United States by

Businessweek

, his insights have been featured in

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal

, and

The

Economist

.

To reach the next level, technical expertise isnt enoughyou need to influence people over whom you have no formal authority.

Bob Bontempo

Academic Director in Executive Education

Faculty director Bob Bontempo discusses the programs persuasion exercises and feedback sessions.

Persuasion vs. Negotiation

Are you using the right influence strategy at the right time? In this short video, Faculty Director Robert N. Bontempo reveals the critical differences between persuasion and negotiationand how mastering both can elevate your leadership impact.

Negotiation creates mutual benefit through exchange; persuasion creates impact by changing beliefs. Effective leaders know when to use each.

Bob Bontempo

Academic Director in Executive Education

Faculty director Bob Bontempo discusses why persuasion and negotiation are different sets of behaviors but with two complementary skill sets