Become a more effective leader with long-lasting impact within your organisation through this intensive, two-day, faculty-taught executive education programme from RSM. Address your need to become more effective within your organisation’s power dynamics and politics. This is where you elevate your personal and organisational influence skills and learn about the psychology of power.
This course is offered by Rotterdam School of Management b.v.. For more information about the legal structure of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, visit this page.
Today's competitive business landscape demands that you are adept at dealing with people at different levels. As a leader, your ability to engage all stakeholders is increasingly challenging when it comes to achieving long-lasting impact and implementing strategies. Commitment and alignment of the people around you are crucial for organisational success. And you must reconcile perspectives while you implement solutions for issues.
You want to enhance your leadership capabilities and learn to better manage power dynamics and lead with purpose, integrity and empathy. Being effective at higher management levels is as much about knowing how to use hierarchical power status as it is about horizontal and upward influence tactics. A delicate balance is essential for maintaining authority, driving strategic alignment, and fostering a thriving organisational culture. RSM’s Mastering Power and Influence programme addresses these challenges by equipping you with the insights to effectively manage and balance hierarchical power and influence tactics to maintain authority and foster a thriving culture.
This rich, two-day, real-world learning experience from RSM Executive Education teaches you how to become more effective at higher organisational levels, achieve sustainable impact and establish a legacy of powerful, purpose-driven leadership.
*Reach out to our programme advisors to discuss the admissions requirements if you're unsure about the suitability of the programme for you. If you have only some experience, or are new to managing teams, we advise you to look at our Team Leadership programme instead.
During RSM's Mastering Power and Influence programme you will learn from Prof. Dirk van Dierendonck and Eline Peeters. Occasionally we may substitute other faculty members according to the content of the programme and their availability.
Dirk van Dierendonck is professor of Leadership and Management, organizational psychologist, and department chair at RSM. He also co-founded the Erasmus Centre for Leadership. Dirk’s expertise includes servant leadership and leadership development, wellbeing, happiness and burnout. He encourages people to become the best they can be, using an evidence-based approach grounded in psychology and management. His research has been published in leading journals on management, organisational behaviour and human resource management. Dirk translates academic knowledge into practical tools for HR professionals, such as EU-funded projects about cultural diversity, age management and artful leadership.
Eline Peeters is a senior trainer and executive coach with a broad expertise in the fields of leadership, personal effectiveness and communication. She believes that development starts with consciousness and is nurtured by experience. That’s why she finds it essential to focus on both awareness and experimentation. Eline facilitates and challenges people to expand their comfort zone in matters of leadership by using appreciative inquiry and curiosity. She searches for what drives behaviour by exploring convictions and values.
15 - 16 April 2026
23 - 24 November 2026
€2,900 (excl. 21% VAT) including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation.
15% discount for alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam and RSM.
All of our short courses can also be delivered as personalised in-company training to groups of employees from the same organisation. This enables us to develop a comprehensive programme that focuses on your organisation’s own unique situation and issues.
Experts Prof. Dirk van Dierendonck and coach Eline Peeters dive into the most common organisational challenges, featuring real-life scenarios, and showcase how mastering power and influence is an essential skill for successful leadership.
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) offers a dynamic learning environment for professionals looking to learn new skills and gain more knowledge in business and management education.
Here’s why you should choose RSM:
This programme takes place in Bayle building on the Woudestein Campus of Erasmus University Rotterdam, just 15 minutes by public transport from Rotterdam city centre. Our modern and lively campus has innovative study facilities, sustainable design, and calming green spaces.
Day 1: 9.00-21.00
Session: Power, politics and you as a leader
Value exploration dinner
Session: Creating a purpose-driven, people oriented organisation
When you register for a programme you will be given access to Canvas, our online learning system, and the full schedule is in Canvas. Your programme manager will hand out a detailed schedule on the first day of your programme.
Class sizes are usually between 12 to 24 people, but it does depend on the programme. We aim for a balance between allowing capacity to guarantee individual attention, and achieving a good group dynamic and networking opportunities.
Yes. Alumni from RSM and Erasmus University Rotterdam receive a 15% discount.
RSM alumni are students who have completed either a bachelor of science, master of science, PhD or one executive education programme of more than 40 credit hours. Additionally, companies which sponsor several participants may also be offered a special price.
Participants of open programmes of less than 40 credit hours will not receive a discount.
Programme fees include tuition, programme materials, access to the RSM study facilities and dynamic learning environment. This also includes lunch and refreshments throughout the programme.
Hotel accommodation is not included, so please make individual arrangements for your stay in Rotterdam. See more information in the Transportation, directions and accommodation section below.
If you require hotel accommodation during your stay in Rotterdam, we recommend a few hotels:
Please contact the hotels directly to make and secure your own reservations.
Our general terms and conditions apply when you register for an open programme. Please review them to learn more about our policies for cancellation, deferral and substitution.
If you have more general questions, we recommend you explore our more in-depth FAQs page. If you are looking for personal advice, then please contact one of our advisors using the contact form below.
Programme advisor
It's my priority to help you identify how you can meet your professional objectives, so reach out and let's make a plan for your personal development.