Influence is a critical leadership skill - especially when you don’t have formal authority. In this course, learners develop practical strategies to coach, motivate, and influence peers, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals. Through real-world frameworks and applied scenarios, learners explore how to build a coaching culture, foster psychological safety, and communicate with clarity and credibility. The course introduces structured coaching processes, including goal setting, feedback, and performance conversations, alongside proven influence tactics grounded in power, persuasion, and social dynamics. Learners will practice using tools such as coaching frameworks, reflection journals, and influence mapping to guide conversations and decision-making. By the end of the course, learners will be able to lead through influence, navigate complex workplace relationships, and drive alignment without relying on positional authority. This course is ideal for professionals seeking to strengthen leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills in modern organizations.

Influencing without Authority

Influencing without Authority
This course is part of Principles of Management Specialization

Instructor: Illysa Izenberg
Access provided by Interbank
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
4 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Use a structured coaching process to guide performance conversations and develop teams
Build psychological safety to foster trust, motivation, and open communication
Use influence tactics and power dynamics to align stakeholders without formal authority
Navigate workplace relationships and drive outcomes through effective persuasion strategies
Details to know

Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
1 assignment
Taught in English
Recently updated!
March 2026
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Principles of Management Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor

Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Explore more from Business

University of Michigan

Northwestern University

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign


