Leadership Skills and Strategic Influence: The Intersection of Strategy, Leadership, and Communication - 5-Day Executive Course for KSA & GCC Leaders

Master the Art of Strategic Leadership and Influential Communication in the Middle East

This comprehensive 5-day Leadership Skills and Strategic Influence training course empowers senior leaders across Saudi Arabia and the GCC region to integrate strategic thinking, executive leadership, and persuasive communication for maximum organizational impact. Aligned with Vision 2030’s leadership transformation requirements and regional business dynamics, this executive program provides advanced competencies for influencing stakeholders, driving strategic initiatives, and leading through complex change in the dynamic Middle Eastern business landscape.

Day 1: Strategic Leadership Foundations

Morning Session: Strategic Thinking and Leadership Excellence (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 1.1: Strategic Leadership in the GCC Context

• Defining strategic leadership: Vision, execution, and influence convergence

• Leadership evolution in Saudi Arabia and GCC markets

• Strategic leadership competencies for Vision 2030 transformation

• Distinguishing operational management from strategic leadership

• Systems thinking and holistic organizational perspective

• Leadership styles for strategic contexts: Transformational, visionary, adaptive

Module 1.2: Strategic Analysis and Environmental Scanning

• PESTLE analysis for GCC markets: Political, economic, social, technological, legal, environmental

• Competitive analysis frameworks: Porter’s Five Forces, SWOT, Blue Ocean Strategy

• Scenario planning and strategic foresight

• Industry disruption patterns and anticipatory leadership

• Regional market dynamics: Oil economy diversification, digital transformation

• Identifying strategic opportunities and threats

Module 1.3: Strategic Vision Development

• Crafting compelling organizational vision statements

• Vision alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and regional priorities

• Translating vision into strategic objectives and priorities

• Balancing stakeholder interests in vision formulation

• Communicating vision across organizational levels

• Vision-driven decision-making frameworks

Afternoon Session: Strategic Planning and Execution (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 1.4: Strategy Formulation Methodologies

• Business strategy types: Cost leadership, differentiation, focus, innovation

• Corporate strategy: Portfolio management, diversification, vertical integration

• Strategic choices and trade-offs analysis

• Resource-based view and core competency identification

• Dynamic capabilities for competitive advantage

• Strategy mapping and causal relationships

Module 1.5: Strategy Implementation and Execution Excellence

• Bridging strategy-execution gap: Common pitfalls

• Cascading strategy through organizational levels

• OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) framework for strategic alignment

• Balanced Scorecard methodology and KPI development

• Resource allocation and priority-setting mechanisms

• Monitoring progress and strategic course correction

• Workshop: Developing strategic frameworks for participant organizations

Day 2: Influence, Persuasion, and Stakeholder Management

Morning Session: Psychology of Influence (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 2.1: Principles of Influence and Persuasion

• Cialdini’s six principles: Reciprocity, commitment/consistency, social proof, authority, liking, scarcity

• Influence versus manipulation: Ethical considerations

• Building personal credibility and trustworthiness

• Authority positioning without formal power

• Behavioral economics and decision-making biases

• Influence in hierarchical GCC organizational cultures

Module 2.2: Political Acumen and Organizational Dynamics

• Understanding organizational politics and power structures

• Mapping informal networks and influence centers

• Building strategic alliances and coalitions

• Navigating competing interests and agendas

• Managing up: Influencing senior leadership and boards

• Cross-cultural political intelligence in Middle East contexts

Module 2.3: Negotiation and Win-Win Outcomes

• Principled negotiation framework: Fisher and Ury model

• Interest-based versus position-based negotiation

• BATNA (Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement) development

• Negotiation tactics for different cultural contexts

• Managing difficult conversations and impasses

• Business negotiation practices in Saudi Arabia and GCC

Afternoon Session: Strategic Stakeholder Engagement (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 2.4: Stakeholder Analysis and Mapping

• Identifying key stakeholders: Internal and external

• Power-interest matrix and stakeholder prioritization

• Stakeholder needs assessment and expectation management

• Government relations and public sector engagement in GCC

• Managing board relationships and investor communications

• Community and CSR stakeholder considerations

Module 2.5: Influence Strategies for Different Stakeholders

• Tailoring influence approaches to stakeholder types

• Coalition building and consensus development

• Managing resistance and opposition constructively

• Strategic partnerships and ecosystem collaboration

• Crisis stakeholder management

• Digital stakeholder engagement strategies

• Case study: Successful stakeholder influence in GCC megaprojects

Day 3: Strategic Communication Excellence

Morning Session: Executive Communication Fundamentals (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 3.1: Strategic Communication Planning

• Communication strategy aligned with business objectives

• Audience analysis and message tailoring

• Communication channels selection and optimization

• Timing and sequencing of strategic messages

• Crisis communication preparedness

• Integrated communication campaigns

Module 3.2: Executive Presence and Leadership Communication

• Developing commanding executive presence

• Voice, body language, and non-verbal communication

• Confidence projection without arrogance

• Authenticity and vulnerability in leadership

• Cultural adaptation: Communication norms in GCC contexts

• Managing communication under pressure

Module 3.3: Persuasive Messaging and Storytelling

• Message architecture: Situation-Complication-Resolution framework

• Storytelling for influence and engagement

• Data-driven narratives and evidence-based persuasion

• Emotional appeals balanced with logical arguments

• Memorable communication techniques

• Crafting elevator pitches and executive summaries

Afternoon Session: Communication Channels and Platforms (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 3.4: Presentation Excellence for Leaders

• Executive presentation structure and design

• Board presentations and investor pitches

• Visual communication and slide design principles

• Handling challenging questions and objections

• Virtual presentation mastery for hybrid environments

• Presentation technology and delivery tools

Module 3.5: Written and Digital Communication

• Executive writing: Clarity, brevity, impact

• Strategic memos and decision documents

• Email communication best practices for leaders

• Social media leadership and thought leadership

• Internal communication platforms and enterprise social

• Multilingual communication strategies (Arabic-English) in GCC

• Practical exercise: Developing strategic communication plans

Day 4: Leading Change and Managing Resistance

Morning Session: Change Leadership Frameworks (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 4.1: Strategic Change Management

• Change management models: Kotter, ADKAR, Lewin, McKinsey 7-S

• Types of organizational change: Incremental, transformational, disruptive

• Change readiness assessment and gap analysis

• Designing change roadmaps and transition plans

• Quick wins and momentum building

• Sustaining change and preventing regression

Module 4.2: Communicating Through Change

• Change communication strategy and cadence

• Addressing uncertainty and managing anxiety

• Transparent communication building trust

• Two-way communication and feedback mechanisms

• Storytelling the change journey

• Celebrating milestones and reinforcing progress

Module 4.3: Overcoming Resistance and Opposition

• Understanding sources of resistance to change

• Identifying change champions and resistors

• Influence strategies for different resistance types

• Engaging middle management as change agents

• Addressing legitimate concerns versus unfounded fears

• Cultural change in traditional GCC organizations

Afternoon Session: Building Strategic Alliances (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 4.4: Coalition Building and Sponsorship

• Identifying and recruiting change sponsors

• Building cross-functional alliances

• Creating guiding coalitions for transformation

• Leveraging informal networks and influencers

• Managing competing priorities and conflicts

• Maintaining coalition momentum and engagement

Module 4.5: Cultural Intelligence and Cross-Cultural Influence

• Cultural dimensions framework: Hofstede, Trompenaars, GLOBE

• High-context versus low-context communication in Middle East

• Relationship-building protocols in GCC business culture

• Gender dynamics and professional interactions

• Expatriate-national collaboration strategies

• Leading multicultural teams effectively

• Role-play: Influencing across cultural boundaries

Day 5: Strategic Leadership Integration and Personal Impact

Morning Session: Leading Strategic Initiatives (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 5.1: Strategic Project and Program Leadership

• Portfolio management and strategic initiative prioritization

• Program governance structures and decision rights

• Leading cross-functional strategic teams

• Balancing strategic work with operational demands

• Risk management in strategic initiatives

• Agile strategy execution approaches

Module 5.2: Innovation Leadership and Strategic Renewal

• Creating cultures of innovation and experimentation

• Disruptive thinking and challenging status quo

• Strategic partnerships and open innovation

• Intrapreneurship and employee-driven innovation

• Balancing core business with emerging opportunities

• Digital transformation leadership in GCC context

Module 5.3: Strategic Decision-Making Under Uncertainty

• Decision quality frameworks and criteria

• Group decision processes and avoiding groupthink

• Intuition versus analysis in strategic choices

• Real options thinking and strategic flexibility

• Learning from strategic failures

• Decision velocity and decisiveness

Afternoon Session: Personal Leadership Brand and Legacy (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 5.4: Building Your Leadership Brand

• Personal brand architecture and positioning

• Reputation management and credibility building

• Thought leadership and industry visibility

• Networking strategies for senior leaders

• Board readiness and portfolio career development

• LinkedIn and professional digital presence optimization

Module 5.5: Coaching and Developing Strategic Leaders

• Succession planning and talent pipeline development

• Coaching strategic thinking in others

• Creating leadership development cultures

• Mentorship programs and knowledge transfer

• Building bench strength for future leadership

• Leadership legacy and long-term impact

Module 5.6: Capstone Integration and Action Planning

• Comprehensive leadership case study analysis

• Strategic influence simulation exercise

• Personal strategic leadership development plan

• Peer coaching and mastermind groups

• 90-day action plan for immediate implementation

• Certificate of completion and executive leadership community access

Course Delivery Methods

This executive strategic leadership program utilizes:

• World-class faculty from leading business schools and consulting firms

• GCC-focused case studies from Saudi Aramco, Emirates Group, Qatar Petroleum, Etisalat, SABIC

• Leadership assessments including 360-degree feedback and influence style analysis

• Interactive simulations modeling strategic influence scenarios

• Peer learning forums with senior executives across industries

• Executive coaching sessions for personalized development

• Video analysis of communication and presentation skills

• Action learning projects applied to real organizational challenges

• Post-program mentorship and alumni network access

Target Audience for KSA & GCC

Ideal for senior professionals including:

• C-suite executives and board members

• General managers and business unit leaders

• Senior directors and department heads

• Government leaders implementing strategic initiatives

• High-potential leaders in succession planning

• Strategy directors and chief strategy officers

• Transformation leaders and program directors

• Entrepreneurs scaling businesses across GCC

Prerequisites: 10+ years leadership experience; senior management role; English proficiency; commitment to executive development.

Key Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this executive certification program, participants will:

✓ Develop and execute comprehensive business strategies aligned with Vision 2030
✓ Influence stakeholders effectively without formal authority
✓ Communicate strategic vision with clarity and inspiration
✓ Navigate organizational politics and build powerful coalitions
✓ Lead transformational change overcoming resistance
✓ Apply cultural intelligence in multicultural GCC environments
✓ Make high-stakes strategic decisions under uncertainty
✓ Build personal leadership brands amplifying impact and influence

Elevate Your Strategic Leadership Impact in KSA & GCC

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and parallel GCC transformation initiatives demand leaders who can think strategically, influence broadly, and communicate powerfully. Success requires mastering the intersection of strategy, leadership, and communication. This intensive 5-day program provides the advanced competencies distinguishing exceptional leaders in the Middle East’s evolving business landscape.

Transform your strategic influence—enroll today and become the leader driving Vision 2030’s ambitious goals across KSA and GCC markets.