Speaking Skills for the Business Professional
In an era where effective communication defines success, mastering executive communication is a strategic imperative.
The Executive Presence, Impact, and Influence program is a targeted interactive two-day experience designed for mid-level and senior professionals, entrepreneurs and executives across all sectors in today’s business landscape. Going beyond traditional instruction, this program focuses on enhancing executive presence and mastering influential abilities crucial for effective leadership. With a hands-on approach, it empowers participants to refine their skills and immediately apply newfound knowledge, meeting the demand for comprehensive executive-level training in today’s world of modern business.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Neil Thornton earlier this year while preparing to speak at the AMCTO Conference, and once again during this incredible Executive Presence, Impact and Influence session through the City of Welland’s Executive Municipal Leadership Program with the GSB Goodman Group. Neil has an incredible way of helping you step outside your comfort zone, gain confidence, and truly find your presence when speaking. This session was another great reminder that communication is so much more than the words we use — it’s how we connect, lead, and make others feel. A huge thank you to Neil, Brock University, and the Goodman Group for continuing to inspire and challenge us to grow as leaders.” Tara Stephens, City of Welland, Director of Legislative Services/City Clerk
The Executive Presence, Impact and Influence Program is designed to strengthen the confidence, communication and influence of leaders who want to inspire trust, communicate with purpose and lead effectively in today’s workplace.
The program creates opportunities for participants to strengthen their executive presence, refine their communication style and develop practical approaches for leading conversations, presenting ideas and building credibility in a wide range of professional situations.
Your Learning Journey
The program combines expert led learning, practical discussion, interactive exercises, presentation practice and real time coaching throughout the learning experience to help participants strengthen their executive presence, receive personalized feedback and communicate with greater confidence and influence.
The following are sample sessions for this program:
- Building Executive Presence and Professional Influence
- Leading Conversations That Inspire Action
- Communicating with Confidence Under Pressure
- Presenting with Impact and Influencing Others
Executive Certificate
Participants who successfully complete the program requirements will receive an Executive Certificate from Goodman Group, Goodman School of Business at Brock University, recognizing their commitment to strengthening executive presence, communication and leadership influence.
Interested in bringing this program to your organization?
The Executive Presence, Impact and Influence program is also available as a customized offering for individual organizations. Contact us at [email protected] to learn how the program can be tailored to your team’s goals, priorities and schedule.
Upon completion of the program, participants will be prepared to:
- Develop effective speaking abilities and storytelling techniques for effective leadership communication, fostering engagement and navigating critical conversations in diverse business scenarios.
- Acquire perspectives on the new reality of business, cultivating a strategic mindset and influencing organizational culture, all seamlessly integrated with advanced speaking skills for effective leadership communication at the executive level.
- Strengthen non-verbal communication, body language and room leadership through guided practice and real-time feedback for confident, impactful executive presence.
- Apply techniques to enhance team engagement, business development, empowering meaningful transformations and sustainable results.
- Gain insights into leading change, fostering strategic focus and driving cultural impact within organizations for meaningful transformations.
Our Executive Presence, Impact and Influence program will be led by an accomplished team, featuring award-winning professors from Goodman School of Business at Brock University, and Neil Thornton, industry expert. Their consistently high satisfaction rates guarantee a quality learning experience.
Neil Thornton
As President of The Thornton Group and author of his new book Presence, Impact and Influence, Neil brings over 20 years of experience to business and management development, strategic planning, executive coaching and team culture. A hands-on consultant, he’s met clients everywhere from job sites to shop floors, boardrooms, remote teams and everywhere in between.
Neil is well known for his highly energetic, dynamic speaking style and in-depth knowledge on topics ranging from strategic execution to the new reality of business development, branding, speaker and leadership development, body language and communications.
- Fall 2026: Fridays Nov. 13 and 20; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ET)
To learn more about the program, please email us at [email protected]
$1,790 + HST per participant.
Financial assistance available:
- Group pricing and alumni discounts available
To learn more about the program and explore options, please email us at [email protected]
