Program Overview

Introduction to the Leading with AI: Influence Program

The Leading with AI: Influence program is an executive education course designed to help leaders develop the skills necessary to create alignment and momentum within their organizations. This program focuses on the integration of AI to strengthen influence, mobilize teams, engage stakeholders, shape messaging, and navigate resistance.

Program Overview

The program is ideal for mid- to senior-level managers and executives who lead through collaboration, persuasion, and credibility. It explores how AI can be used to enhance influence in business and leadership, providing participants with a practical framework for engaging key stakeholders, tightening narratives and talking points, and practicing high-stakes conversations.

Learning Objectives

Through guided practice and AI-supported exercises, participants will learn to:

• Clarify their influence map by identifying key stakeholders, their motivations, and credible paths to agreement.
• Elevate messaging using AI to draft, tighten, and tailor communications for different audiences and channels.
• Build trust and credibility by strengthening evidence-based reasoning, transparency, and timing.
• Prepare for resistance by rehearsing tough conversations and "what if" scenarios with AI-driven simulations.
• Act ethically by applying privacy controls, bias checks, and responsible use of generative AI tools.

Course Outline

The program consists of a combination of asynchronous online, live online, and in-person classes. The schedule includes:

• Week 1: Asynchronous, online introduction to the course, including short pre-reading assignments and an overview of GenAI.
• Week 2: Hands-on practice and peer discussion; one day, in person (Indianapolis).
• Week 3: Use case clinic; 2.5 hours of live, online, instructor-led training.
• Week 4: Create and submit an Action Learning Project tailored to the participant's organization.

Course Details

• Format: Combination of asynchronous online, live online, and in-person classes.
• Schedule: Thursdays, with specific dates for in-person and live online sessions.
• Fee: $1,495 per person, with discounts available for IU alumni, staff, groups of three or more participants, and purchases of four or more courses.

Instructors

The program is led by experienced instructors from the Kelley School of Business, including:

• Trent Deckard, Lecturer, with expertise in business communication, public address, and persuasion.
• Anna Deeds, Senior Lecturer, with expertise in business communication, executive presence, influential communication, and storytelling with data.

Outcome

Upon completion of the program, participants will have a practical framework for influence, tighter narratives and talking points, tools to practice and improve high-stakes conversations, and an Action Learning Project focused on their real-world influence challenge. Participants who complete the optional Action Learning Project earn a digital badge, a verifiable credential that can be showcased on professional platforms. Completing four courses from the Leading with AI professional development series leads to the Kelley Professional Certificate in AI Leadership.