Leadership & Management

Managing Upward and Across

A manager’s success depends heavily on relationships with their own boss, senior leaders and peers over whom they have no authority. This course develops skills to manage upward and across: understanding stakeholders’ priorities, building credibility, communicating concisely, influencing without authority, negotiating resources and handling disagreement constructively.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Good ideas fail when they lack sponsorship. You will learn to build the relationships and influence needed to get things done.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Stakeholder mapping, influence role plays, communication drills and peer coaching on real relationships.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Map key stakeholders and their priorities
Build credibility and trust with senior leaders
Communicate concisely with busy executives
Influence peers without formal authority
Negotiate for resources and support
Handle disagreement upward constructively

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Middle managers
Project and programme managers
Specialists and advisers
Team leaders
Executive assistants and chiefs of staff

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Stakeholder management
Influence
Executive communication
Negotiation
Relationship building

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1The Influence Landscape

09:00–10:08Why managing upward matters
10:08–11:00Stakeholder mapping
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Stakeholder mapping (continued)
11:45–12:53Understanding your manager
12:53–14:00Exercise: stakeholder map

Day 2Building Credibility

09:00–10:08Delivering reliably
10:08–11:00Visibility and reputation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Visibility and reputation (continued)
11:45–12:53Trust with senior leaders
12:53–14:00Self-assessment

Day 3Communicating Upward

09:00–10:08Bottom-line-first messages
10:08–11:00Briefings and escalations
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Briefings and escalations (continued)
11:45–12:53Bringing solutions, not problems
12:53–14:00Practice drills

Day 4Influencing Across

09:00–10:08Influence without authority
10:08–11:00Reciprocity and alliances
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Reciprocity and alliances (continued)
11:45–12:53Resolving peer conflict
12:53–14:00Role plays

Day 5Disagreement and Negotiation

09:00–10:08Disagreeing with your boss
10:08–11:00Negotiating resources
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Negotiating resources (continued)
11:45–12:53Escalating appropriately
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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