Communicating for Influence and Impact

Communicating for Influence and Impact, offered by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership through GetSmarter, is an online short course designed to strengthen leadership communication in complex and fast-changing environments. The course helps learners communicate with greater clarity, urgency, and purpose, while positioning communication as a lever for influencing decisions, mobilising stakeholders, and accelerating change. It is particularly relevant for established and aspiring leaders who want to develop stronger communication capability in support of positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes.

Core Content

The curriculum focuses on how communication can shape society, influence decisions, and support systems-level change. CISL outlines modules on the need for impactful communication, the role of communication in shaping society, the attributes of an effective communicator, listening and storytelling, purpose-driven communication and influence, influencing change within and beyond networks, collaboration for impact, and maximising influence. The course is designed to combine practical tools with broader leadership thinking, helping learners understand how communication can support innovation, competitiveness, resilience, and long-term value creation.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to communicate more effectively and persuasively with a range of stakeholders, influence decisions with greater purpose, and use communication to drive meaningful change. The course also helps learners strengthen listening, storytelling, collaboration, and influence skills, while building the confidence to navigate resistance and mobilise others across organisations and wider business ecosystems. CISL also highlights the development of a Personal Impact Plan aligned to system-level change.

Target Learners

This course is designed for established and aspiring leaders who want to strengthen their communication skills and ability to effect change within an organisation and across a wider business ecosystem. It is particularly relevant for professionals committed to achieving positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes in balance with commercial success. CISL also notes that the curriculum is suitable for individual leaders as well as leadership team cohorts seeking to build on prior experience and training.

Learning Format

Hosted on GetSmarter, the course is delivered in an online, tutor-assisted format over eight weeks, plus one orientation week, with an expected study commitment of seven to ten hours per week. The learning experience includes weekly modules, practical tools, applied reflection, and a Personal Impact Plan, allowing learners to build practical understanding step by step while progressing through a structured online journey. Upon successful completion, learners receive a digital certificate recognising their learning.

Additional Benefits

The course offers strong practical value for professionals who want to use communication as a strategic leadership capability rather than a narrow functional skill. CISL highlights benefits including the ability to inspire and mobilise others, build meaningful peer relationships, and strengthen connections with the wider Cambridge sustainability community. Learners also receive unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, adding further professional development value beyond the course itself.

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