How can you grow your influence as a leader? This unique two-day course advances your non-verbal skills, as you’ll learn how to create more impact in your communication and interaction.
In RSM’s two-day course Leading with Presence, you will learn the importance of non-verbal behaviour, the vocal elements, and how to become more aware of your body and your physical behaviour. Take this chance to work on and fine-tune your personal leadership qualities.
Discover the full overview of short courses
You might have great ideas, perspectives and methods. But you might lose your effectiveness if you don’t know how you come across, and if you don’t represent your message with intention. As a matter of fact, 50 to 90 per cent of our communication is non-verbal – embodied by the tone of our voice and our body language. The corporate course Leading with Presence is taught by the authors of the book Leading with Presence, who are experienced teachers and trainers of executives and MBA students.
You will learn how and why presence in everyday interaction is a vital component of impactful leadership. Leading with Presence is essential for business, to understand the science behind body language while exploring and practising leadership presence. You will boost your non-verbal communication skills, including elements such as posture, facial expressions and gestures, and the voice. Through theory, practical tools and exercises, you will increase your skills at being confident, persuasive and inspiring.
This course offers exercises tailored to each participant with instant feedback and coaching catered to your situation and goals. You will have the chance to push yourself and see the impact and growth right away. You will walk away with a sense of accomplishment and tangible ideas that you can put into practice immediately.
The Leading with Presence is for anyone who wants to align their body language and voice with the message they wish to convey. Especially people with a management, consulting or sales position will boost their non-verbal communication skills through this programme.
An exciting way of acquiring a toolbox for aligning posture and voice to enhance a delivered message. During the course one has plenty of opportunities to practise and become aware of all the elements in the toolbox. Further material is provided to support you in daily training of all aspects of the course. Mastering all elements is not an easy deal, but this course definitely puts you on the right track to accomplish it.
Dr Jesus Roldan, team manager Telecoms department, European Patent Office
During the Leading with Presence Programme you will learn from Prof. Steffen Giessner, Amanda Wolzak, and Antonie Knoppers. Occasionally we may substitute other faculty members according to the content of the programme and their availability.
Steffen Giessner is professor of organisational behaviour and change at RSM. He researches organisational psychology and management. His primary topics are change management, leadership, team management and non-verbal communication. Steffen has authored and co-authored many papers in these areas, and his research has received media coverage in publications including The New York Times, Financial Times, The Guardian, Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Manager and The Wall Street Journal. He has an MSc in psychology from the University of Kent at Canterbury in the UK, and a PhD in psychology from the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena in Germany.
Amanda Wolzak is a trainer at RSM and teaches the Essentials of Leadership. As a trainer in the business world, Amanda specialises in voice, presence, storytelling and improvisation. Her previous work in professional theatre and film and drama across the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Finland has enriched her training capabilities. And she calls on the teachings of Grotowski, Le Page, Brecht and Stanislavski in her work. Amanda’s goal is to inspire, invent and challenge students to be in the moment and release tension when presenting to small and large groups. She has worked in Europe, USA, and South Africa with company consultants, HR specialists, technical staff, CFOs and CEOs.
Antonie Knoppers is a trainer, coach, facilitator, guest speaker and actor. He trains individuals and teams on leadership and personal development, presence, communication skills, storytelling, and presentation through his company D&A Trainingen. He is co-author of Leading with Presence (Emerald Publishing 2021) and wrote How To Have Effective Zoom Meetings—And Make Them Less Boring for Forbes magazine (March 2021). He is adjunct faculty at RSM and guest faculty at Nyenrode University and the University of Maastricht. Antonie holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University (Summa Cum Laude) and a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of San Diego/Old Globe Theatre.
€ 2,400 (excl. 21% VAT) including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation.
25% discount for alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam and RSM.
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.
The programme takes place in the Bayle building on the Woudestein Campus of Erasmus University Rotterdam.
We recommend Novotel Rotterdam Brainpark Hotel, adjacent to the university and less than five minutes’ walk from campus. Participants benefit from special rates.
