Lead the Conversation Master Class
The Art and Behavioural Science of Persuasion and Influence

IABC Master Class: Lead The Conversation: Shift from 'Team Problem Solver' to a 'Team of Problem Solvers'

A three-part online masterclass for leaders who want to ask better, tell less, and unleash a problem-solving capability in their team. As a leader, it’s tempting to step in with answers. It’s faster, it feels more helpful, and it demonstrates your expertise. But there’s a hidden cost. If every challenge lands with someone in your office, you’re solving one problem and creating another, a team that relies on you for solutions.

This masterclass series will give you the tools you need to shift from being your 'team’s problem solver' to the leader of a problem-solving team.

Across the series, you’ll discover how to listen deeply, ask powerful questions that spark innovation and insight, and apply a practical coaching and problem-solving framework that gets results. By the end, you’ll have the skills, tools, and confidence to turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth, and a team that thrives without you holding all the answers.

Learning Outcomes:

• Master the art of deep listening to enhance understanding and trust
• Ask questions that spark insight, ownership, and better solutions
• Apply a proven coaching and problem-solving framework to real challenges
• Build a culture where your team takes the lead in solving problems

Across three interactive sessions, you’ll learn to listen deeply and ask powerful questions, apply a practical coaching and problem-solving framework, and then put it all into action to build a team that tackles challenges with confidence and creativity.

Presenter: Shane Michael Hatton, Team Culture Expert, Author and Keynote Speaker, Shane Hatton Speaks

Price: $199 for members, $249 for Member Lite and nonmembers

Dates:                                                                                              

• 8 October | 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. CT
• 15 October | 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. CT
• 22 October | 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. CT

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Shane is a global expert in leadership and team culture with over a decade of experience developing remarkable leaders, teams, and cultures. Blending business with psychology, Shane empowers leaders to communicate, connect, and collaborate more effectively. His insights have been shared in publications like Harvard Business Review, Forbes, The Australian and more. Clients consistently value Shane’s skill for introducing clarity to their thought processes and distilling complex ideas into pragmatic strategies.

Shane is the author of two books and the host of an insightful podcast. With a career as a speaker, executive coach and facilitator, Shane has collaborated with businesses spanning a range of industries across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Currently, Shane is elevating the conversation about culture across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA, upholding his reputation as a global thought leader in leadership and culture.

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IABC Master Class: The Art and Behavioural Science of Persuasion and Influence

This engaging and practical master class will empower communication professionals to elevate their influence and impact through the science of persuasion. Across three dynamic sessions, participants will explore how to cut through the noise of today’s complex information landscape, apply behavioural insights to better understand and reach their audiences, and use proven tools to confidently influence stakeholders and decision-makers.

The program blends critical thinking, behavioural science, and modern engagement strategies to help participants navigate an era of information overload, polarisation, and AI-generated content. Participants will leave with a toolkit of practical techniques to identify bias, reframe issues for support, select the right channels, and confidently pitch ideas that stick.

Presenter: Anne Wickham, Managing Director, Boxing Clever

Price: $199 for members, $249 for Member Lite and nonmembers

Dates:                                                                                              

• 5 November | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. CT | Engagement challenges and traps in today’s VUCA environment
• 11 November | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. CT | The power of behavioural science to influence people
• 19 November | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. CT | Practical tools and persuasion techniques

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Anne Wickham is a stakeholder engagement and communication strategist from Sydney, Australia who is passionate about critical thinking and behavioural economics. She has a proven record of contributing to the success of major projects and achieving better outcomes for people. She's a two time Gold Quill winner (2023 and 2024).  Anne has run her own agencies for the past 20 years and advised more than 100 companies and organisations. This has included more than 50 projects for the Australian Government agencies spanning stakeholder engagement and communication.

Who Should Attend? 

Ideal for professionals seeking to strengthen their strategic communication skills, this master class will equip you to ask better questions, make smarter decisions, and drive meaningful change — whether you're engaging the public, stakeholders, or internal leaders.

 

Course Highlights

Session 1 – Engagement challenges and traps in today’s VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environment

This session examines the impacts of information overload, AI sludge and a lack of nuance in political and social debate - and the key challenges communicators therefore need to solve.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the impacts that AI is having on the (increasing) quantity and (decreasing) quality of information.
• Be able to recognise dubious data and watch out for inbuilt bias.
• Know how to ask insightful questions that get to the bottom of the actual problems your communication or engagement needs to solve.

Session 2 – The power of behavioural science to influence people

How people feel, the context in which they are making choices, and their values, motivations and beliefs are better determinants of their behaviours than quantitative surveys and traditional segmentation methods.

This session will delve into behavioural science using real life case studies and help participants think strategically about what’s really driving the choices their stakeholders and target audiences make.

Learning Outcomes:

• Know how to think strategically about the real problems that communication needs to solve.
• Be able to ask good questions and frame issues in ways that target audiences support.
• You will be able to select communication channels and approaches that engage audiences where they already are.

Session 3 – Practical tools and persuasion techniques

This session will bring together what we’ve covered already into a master class in the art of persuasion and how you can more effectively engage your leaders and clients at work.

Learning Outcomes:

• Discover approaches to increase influence when engaging with leaders and clients.
• Frame communication and choose language that resonates best with the audiences you wish to influence.
• Develop a personalized action plan to enhance influence, secure a seat at the table, and drive meaningful connections.

Ready to take your thought leadership to the next level? Register now and unlock the art and science of persuasion and influence!

IABC’s Master Class Series gives you the tools to grow your skills and your impact. Master Classes can feature award-winning speakers, relevant topics, international perspective, and a wealth of knowledge to grow your skills and impact. All that’s left to do? Choose what Master Class is right for you!  

 

IABC members receive exclusive discounts and can register at any time. Don’t miss the chance to achieve your goals and take your career to the next level.