Check out this Influential Communicator short course from Kelley

Short course overview: The Influential Communicator

The ability to influence others through effective communication is a critical skill for leaders, team members, and professionals at all levels. This business communications course is designed to empower professionals to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact by combining proven communication strategies with real-world scenarios. Whether you’re delivering a keynote presentation, leading a contentious meeting, or motivating your team, the Influential Communicator short course provides the framework to elevate your communication skills and achieve your goals.

Upcoming dates

Course date: June 9, 2026
Delivery: Online
Price: $725 with discounts available for IU alumni, staff, and groups of three or more participants

Register

Want to learn more?

Fill out the form below to request more information.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

By selecting this checkbox I agree to receive important information about programs, application processes, and important deadlines from the Kelley School of Business by text message.

More Info

* Required fields

What makes this business communications course unique?

Interactive, experiential approach: Each activity is structured to encourage hands-on practice, provide constructive feedback, and foster a collaborative learning environment. By the end of the workshop, participants will have developed practical skills they can immediately apply to their professional roles.

Exploring AI in communication: Delve into how AI tools can be used to enhance communication processes, from AI-driven analytics that provide audience insights to tools that streamline message creation. Participants will explore practical applications of AI and understand its potential to drive innovation in communication.

Who is the Influential Communicator course for?

This business communications course is ideal for a wide range of professionals, including:

Mid-level managers and aspiring leaders
Sales and business development professionals
Team leads and project managers
Entrepreneurs and small business owners
Educators and consultants
Professionals in client-facing roles
Anyone seeking to enhance their influence and communication skills

Course outline

Demonstrate the application of the three pillars of influence to communication practices.
Evaluate how others gauge their trustworthiness in professional interactions.
Adapt trust-building approaches to different situations.
Construct clear and impactful messages using turn-key organizational patterns.
Develop messages that integrate values, storytelling, and emotional appeal.
Employ AI tools to enhance and streamline communication processes.
Design visuals that effectively convey data-driven stories.

Introduction to the three pillars of influence: Learn foundational principles for building impactful communication.
Deep dive into credibility: Assess and enhance how others perceive your trustworthiness.

Interactive activities:

Tailor messages for a unique audience you need to address.
Receive feedback on your perceived credibility.
Practice adapting your communication approach for different scenarios.

Leveraging AI tools: Use AI to improve audience analysis and tailoring.

Organizing messages for maximum impact: Develop and practice turn-key organizational patterns.
Plan visuals to better communicate data-heavy messages.
Emotional appeal in communication: Learn how to integrate values and storytelling for greater influence.

Interactive activities:

Deliver a short presentation with real-time feedback.
Conduct an email audit to refine written communication.
Draft and receive feedback on a visual for an upcoming report, email, or presentation deck.
Participate in an interactive game to apply and integrate everything learned about influence.

Leveraging AI Tools: Use AI to quickly organize concise, reader-centric messages.

Course details

Format: In person
Schedule: One-day workshop
Discounts: Available for IU alumni, staff, and groups of three or more participants

Showcase your new skills

In addition to earning an Influential Communicator certificate of completion, you will earn a digital badge to showcase your skills on platforms like LinkedIn. These credentials show your network the concrete and in-demand skills you earned from taking this Kelley program.

Meet your instructor

Brenda Bailey-Hughes

Brenda Bailey-Hughes is an award-winning faculty member of the nationally ranked Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, where she teaches communication and leadership courses. Brenda teaches in the undergraduate program and the Executive MBA partnership program between Kelley School of Business and Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea.

Brenda specializes in communication training and has coached many executives from Fortune 500 companies. Her client list includes Procter & Gamble, Cummins Inc., Lockheed Martin, Chinese International Marine Containers, Carlisle Companies, John Deere, First Merchants Bank, WellPoint, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Steinbeis, and the City of Indianapolis.

Brenda is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at conferences and workshops on a variety of topics, including empathy, trust, listening, influence, presentation skills, design thinking, and customer service.

Brenda is a licensed WorldWorks coach, a certified Leadership 360 coach, trained in the Keirsey Temperament profile, and is a member of the Association for Training and Development and the Management and Organizational Behavior Teaching Society.

Questions?

Please email us at kelleypd@iu.edu with any questions you have, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.