Program Manager Medical College of Wisconsin Waukesha, WI, United States
In today’s complex organizations, traditional hierarchies are no longer the main source of decision-making power. Success often relies on the ability to lead and create impact without formal authority. This interactive 60-minute session explores the strategic role of influence in matrixed environments—where collaboration is essential, roles cross boundaries, and authority is shared.
Participants will learn the core principles of relational influence, gain tools to build trust-based relationships, and explore strategies for aligning priorities across teams. Through the lens of emotional intelligence, political savvy, and adaptive communication, attendees will discover practical ways to navigate ambiguity and drive results.
Whether you're leading a cross-functional project, managing up, or driving change from the middle, this session will help you harness the power of influence to strengthen collaboration, move work forward, and lead with purpose—regardless of title or position.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:
Define influence in the context of a matrixed environment and distinguish it from formal authority or positional power
Identify key strategies for building trust-based relationships and credibility across functional boundaries
Apply principles of emotional intelligence and political savvy to navigate complex dynamics and stakeholder interests
Communicate persuasively and adaptively to gain alignment and buy-in from diverse collaborators and decision-makers
Recall practical techniques for leading through ambiguity, fostering collaboration, and advancing shared goals without direct authority
