Faculty - Led Course | All Levels

ML284wkx: Influence Without Authority: Persuasion Skills You Never Knew You Had!

This interactive course equips you with the tools to influence, motivate, and lead individuals and teams—even without formal authority. You’ll explore frameworks such as influence currencies, relationship mapping, and perspective-taking to analyze and improve your approach to influence. Through real-life scenarios and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn how to engage stakeholders, navigate disagreement, and build collaborative solutions. Whether you’re managing projects, leading teams, or working cross-functionally, this course will help you develop a personal action plan to apply influence strategies effectively in your organization.

What You'll Learn

  • Master influence currencies to motivate others effectively
  • Use relationship mapping and perspective-taking to navigate workplace conflicts
  • Build collaborative solutions through structured influence conversations

Live Session Schedule

Day 1:

Monday, May 11, 2026
Session 1: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST | Session 2: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

Come Prepared for the Course

This faculty-led course takes place over four weeks and includes up to a 90-minute weekly live web conference session, self-paced online assignments and the use of peer discussion forums. Learners should expect to spend approximately four hours per week on course related reading and assignments. All required coursework is due by 11:59 p.m. PT on the designated day of class.

Pre-Work & Preparation

Pre-Work & Preparation

Complete all pre-work by provided deadlines

Active Participation

Active Participation

Attend live sessions and engage in collaborative activities

Software Requirements

Software Requirements

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Zoom proficiency required

Hardware Setup

Hardware Setup

Dual monitors, webcam, and file management capabilities

Your Instructor

Megan Winkeler

Megan Winkeler

Faculty Member | NeighborWorks

Megan Winkeler is the Senior Trainer & ADR Consultant at MWI. Megan has trained thousands of people in negotiation, influence, mediation, conflict management, collaborative communication, and leadership skills. She has worked with many of the nation’s top companies, including ExxonMobil, CVS Health, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Analog Devices, and Spotify. Beyond her training work, Megan is also a mediator, ombuds, and attorney. She directed a panel of mediators who provided free services in fourteen Massachusetts Trial Courts and trained mediation programs throughout the state to provide quality housing and eviction mediation services. Megan has a BA in Political Science & Philosophy from Illinois Wesleyan University, a JD from University of Massachusetts School of Law, and served as an Ambassadorial Scholar for Rotary International studying conflict resolution and transitional justice at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

What Learners Are Saying

"This course gave me exactly what I needed to get started in housing counseling. The practical tools and real-world examples made it easy to apply what I learned immediately with my clients."

Maria Rodriguez

Housing Counselor, Urban CDC

"As someone transitioning from social work into housing counseling, this course provided the perfect foundation. The content was incredibly relevant to my daily work."

David Chen

Community Development Specialist

"The instructor's expertise really shines through in every module. I appreciated the balance of theory and practical application."

Sarah Johnson

Housing Program Manager

Foundations of Negotiation Micro-Credential

Foundations of Negotiation Micro-Credential

The Negotiation micro-credential equips learners with the skills to transform adversarial approaches into collaborative problem-solving. You'll learn how to influence, motivate, and lead individuals and teams effectively, ensuring productive and positive outcomes in various negotiation scenarios. 

Courses needed to earn this credential:

  • ML282: How to Negotiate: The Most Important Skill You Will Ever Learn! (in-person or faculty-led)
  • ML284: Influence Without Authority: Persuasion Skills You Never Knew You Had! (in-person or faculty-led)
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Ready to Get Started?

Join hundreds of housing professionals building the skills to create lasting community impact

$295
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