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Blair Cook CPA MBA

This is the course designed to take you from the cubicle to the corner office. You've mastered the technical aspects of your career and feel you are ready to make a real difference in your organization. But the difference between middle management and executive management is profound. Technical mastery is assumed. What's more important is how you lead and influence others through relationships and communication skills. When you enter a boardroom, you command presence with poise and confidence. Wouldn't it be nice if opportunity found you, rather than waiting for random chance. This is the course that turns the tables. Take control of your career and accelerate your path to the corner office.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Plan a path to the corner office.
  • Excel in the executive role.
  • Attain strategic levels of influence.
  • Lead with confidence and poise under pressure.

Syllabus

Overcome Your Negative Self-Talk

Listen tot he story of how Blair "fell" into his first executive role and what he has learned since.

Download this workbook to follow as you work through this course.

Read more

All that negative self-talk in your head stifles your confidence.  Recognize it.  Own it. And develop strategies to overcome it.

Power is a feeling, it's not a title.  Learn how to harness your personal power.

Confidence comes from a hormonal reaction.  Learn how to trigger assertiveness and reduce anxiety.

These are the key takeaways from this section.

Let go of the detail and work outside of your department to ultimately achieve Executive Presence.

Emotional and social intelligence are critical to building better relationships, learn the key elements of these two intelligences.

Office politics is seductive and our brain loves it, but its cancerous to not only the organization, but also our careers.  Learn to play the game, or rather not at all.

You've got 2 seconds to make a strong first impression.  How do you do it?

Being a conversationalist means to be more interested and less interesting.  Learn to strike up a conversation with anyone and initiate a relationship.

Building deeper relationships doesn't happen by accident.  You must work at it.  Learn some strategies to deepen your relationships.

Let's recap the key ideas in this section.

Get an overview of what is covered in this section.

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are the basis of persuasion dating back to the day of Aristotle.  Since then, every pundit has regurgitated these three principles in one form or another.  Do you know what they are?

Communication begin with building rapport with our audience.  How do you know if they are listening?

Storytelling is the most powerful way to convey any message.  Learn how to tell a great story!

Whether you are writing a report or an email - keep these principles in mind.

More people fear presenting than death, that is telling in and of itself.  Get a primer on how you can present your ideas with poise and influence.

How much grit do you have?  If you score 3.8 or higher, you have more grit than average.

A fixed mindset accepts what happens to us without challenge and despair.  When we adopt a growth mindset, we are continuously challenging ourselves to learn from each and every experience.

Those with passion for what they do, demonstrate more resilience.  What are you passionate about?

These four factors, above all others, help you to enhance grit in your lives.

Deliberate practice is continuously learning from each opportunity to demonstrate competency.  When exercised daily over long periods of time, miraculous results can be achieved.

Let's summarize some of the key ideas in this section.

Let's get an overview of this section.

What made you a great manager, will not make you a great leader.  Understand the difference.

Leaders are integral to the success of the organization.  Learn about how much of corporate performance comes from leadership.

Leaders set vision and shine a light on the path forward.  Learn about the other behaviors of great leaders in this lesson.

Credibility is the most crucial quality of many leaders.  Learn about he four most important elements and how you can develop your own credibility.

Let's review the key themes of this section.

Get an overview of personal branding.

What do you stand for?  What do you want to achieve?  Learn to define your brand goal and plot a course to its achievement.

Your appearance matters.  Get a few basic styling tips from Jen.

How are you different?  What makes you stand out against your peers?  In this lesson, we look at a few ideas.

Knowing your own brand is one thing, but expressing it broadly is quite another.  Learn how in this lesson.

How is your brand developed, through consistent, daily reinforcement.  Let's wrap up this course talking about the key elements of your personal branding strategy.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores strategies for overcoming negative self-talk, which can be a significant barrier to career progression and achieving executive presence
Teaches the importance of emotional and social intelligence, which are critical for building strong relationships and navigating office dynamics
Examines the principles of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos, which are foundational concepts in persuasive communication and leadership
Highlights the importance of developing a growth mindset, which is essential for continuous learning and resilience in the face of challenges
Discusses the shift in mindset from 'it's all about me' to 'it's all about the people,' which is crucial for effective leadership and team building
Covers personal branding strategies, which can help individuals stand out and attract opportunities for career advancement

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Reviews summary

Mastering executive presence and career growth

According to learners, this course offers practical strategies and a strong mindset shift for career advancement. Students found the content engaging and well-structured, appreciating the focus on developing communication, influence, and leadership skills beyond technical expertise. Many highlight the instructor's engaging delivery and relatable examples as key strengths. The course provides actionable takeaways, helping professionals gain confidence and poise needed for higher roles.
Workbook provides helpful exercises.
"The workbook provided is a great tool for applying the concepts."
"I found the exercises in the workbook very beneficial."
"Having the workbook helped me internalize the lessons."
Content is direct and avoids unnecessary detail.
"The course is concise and gets straight to the point."
"I liked that it was focused and didn't drag on with fluff."
"Provides clear information without being overly academic."
Topics are relevant to career advancement.
"The topics covered are highly relevant to anyone aiming for leadership roles."
"It addresses the key skills needed beyond technical ability."
"I appreciated the focus on influence, communication, and personal branding."
Instructor's delivery keeps learners engaged.
"The instructor was engaging and shared relatable stories."
"I found the delivery style very motivating and easy to follow."
"The instructor's energy made the complex topics accessible."
Helps change perspective for leadership roles.
"This course really helped me understand the shift needed from manager to leader."
"It challenged my thinking about negative self-talk and power."
"I gained a new perspective on what it means to have executive presence."
Provides actionable steps for career growth.
"I learned practical strategies I can apply immediately in my work."
"The course provides real tools and techniques for building influence."
"Lots of actionable advice that helps you think differently about your career trajectory."
Some topics could use more detail.
"While good, some areas felt a bit superficial and could benefit from more depth."
"I wished certain complex topics were explored further."
"Could use more case studies or in-depth examples on specific challenges."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Executive Presence: Moving From A Cubicle To A Corner Office with these activities:
Review 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'
Reinforce core principles of effectiveness that underpin executive leadership.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the first three habits.
  • Reflect on how each habit applies to your current role.
  • Identify one habit to actively practice each week.
Review Emotional Intelligence Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of emotional intelligence, a key component of building relationships and influencing others.
Browse courses on Emotional Intelligence
Show steps
  • Review articles and videos on emotional intelligence.
  • Take a self-assessment test to identify areas for improvement.
  • Reflect on how emotional intelligence impacts your interactions.
Practice Active Listening
Improve your active listening skills to build rapport and understand others' perspectives.
Show steps
  • Find a partner to practice with.
  • Take turns speaking and actively listening.
  • Focus on summarizing and asking clarifying questions.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Craft Your Personal Brand Statement
Define your personal brand to communicate your unique value and stand out from your peers.
Show steps
  • Identify your key strengths and values.
  • Determine your target audience and their needs.
  • Write a concise and compelling brand statement.
  • Get feedback from trusted colleagues.
Develop a 30-60-90 Day Plan
Create a plan to demonstrate your value and impact in a new executive role.
Show steps
  • Research the company's goals and challenges.
  • Identify key stakeholders and their priorities.
  • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for each phase.
  • Outline the actions you will take to achieve those goals.
Review 'Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion'
Understand the principles of persuasion to enhance your communication and influence skills.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the six principles of persuasion.
  • Identify examples of these principles in your own interactions.
  • Practice using these principles ethically and effectively.
Mentor a Junior Colleague
Reinforce your leadership skills by guiding and supporting a junior colleague's professional development.
Show steps
  • Offer to mentor a junior colleague in your organization.
  • Meet regularly to provide guidance and support.
  • Share your experiences and insights.
  • Provide constructive feedback and encouragement.

Career center

Learners who complete Executive Presence: Moving From A Cubicle To A Corner Office will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Management Consultant
The role of a management consultant involves providing strategic advice to organizations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. This course directly addresses the skills needed to excel as a management consultant. The course emphasizes communication, influence, and leadership, all of which are essential for successfully advising and guiding clients. By learning how to overcome negative self-talk, build strong relationships, and communicate with precision, a management consultant enhances their ability to gain the trust of clients and drive impactful change within their organizations. The focus on personal branding helps a management consultant to stand out and attract new opportunities.
Executive Director
An executive director is responsible for leading and managing an organization, often a nonprofit. This course is highly relevant to the executive director role, as it focuses on developing the leadership and influence skills necessary to guide an organization effectively. The course's emphasis on strategic thinking, communication, and building relationships aligns with the key responsibilities of an executive director. An executive director is responsible for communicating vision and direction. The course prepares one to move into such a role. By mastering the art of executive presence, an executive director can inspire confidence and effectively lead their team toward achieving organizational goals.
Chief Operating Officer
A chief operating officer oversees the daily operations of a company. To be a successful chief operating officer, one must have strong leadership and communication skills. This course helps build those skills, ensuring that the chief operating officer can lead with confidence and poise under pressure, as well as attain strategic levels of influence. The course may be helpful to those who want to take control of their career and accelerate their path to the corner office as a chief operating officer. The course helps one to understand the difference between management and leadership.
Chief Executive Officer
The chief executive officer is the highest-ranking executive in a company, responsible for making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of a company, and acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors and corporate operations. The course's emphasis on strategic thinking, communication, and building relationships aligns with the key responsibilities of a chief executive officer. The course prepares one to move into the chief executive officer role. By mastering the art of executive presence, a chief executive officer can inspire confidence and effectively lead their team toward achieving organizational goals.
Sales Director
A sales director is responsible for leading a sales team and developing strategies to increase sales revenue. This course provides skills that are highly applicable to succeeding as a sales director. The course focuses on improving communication skills, building relationships, and influencing others, all of which are crucial for leading a successful sales team and achieving sales targets. This course helps build rapport with an audience, communicate with laser precision, and build mutually beneficial business relationships. By mastering these elements, a sales director enhances their ability to motivate their team and drive sales growth.
Marketing Director
A marketing director is responsible for overseeing the marketing efforts of a company and developing strategies to promote products or services. Communication and influence are very important skills for a marketing director. This course focuses on developing these skills, which are crucial for developing a successful marketing strategy. This course emphasizes how to communicate with laser precision and build strong relationships. Learning about personal branding helps a marketing director to effectively express their brand broadly. With the skills developed in this course, a marketing director can enhance their ability to promote their company's products or services.
Public relations manager
A public relations manager is responsible for managing an organization's communication with the public, including building relationships with the media and managing the organization's reputation. This course may be useful for a public relations manager, as it helps to develop skills in communication, relationship building, and influence. The course emphasizes how to make a strong first impression and communicate with laser precision. By improving these skills, a public relations manager enhances their ability to effectively manage communication and build strong relationships with the public and the media.
Fundraiser
Fundraisers raise money and resources for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or other causes. This course may be useful for those wishing to become a fundraiser because a fundraiser needs to be able to tell a compelling story to inspire generosity. The course teaches effective communication and how to tell a great story! This course may also be helpful for learning to strike up a conversation with anyone and initiate a relationship. This skill is crucial to building a strong network of donors.
Project Manager
A project manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. While this course does not directly address the technical aspects of project management, it may be helpful for developing the leadership and communication skills necessary to effectively manage a project team. The course emphasizes the importance of building relationships, communicating with precision, and leading with confidence. A project manager may find the lessons on emotional and social intelligence particularly helpful as they are critical to building better relationships.
Human Resources Manager
A human resources manager is responsible for overseeing the human resources functions of an organization, including recruiting, hiring, and employee relations. This course may provide benefits to a human resources manager, as it focuses on developing the communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills necessary to effectively manage employees. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between management and leadership and building credibility as a leader. A human resources manager can use these skills to foster a positive work environment and effectively manage employee relations.
Financial Advisor
Financial advisors provide guidance to clients on managing their finances and investments. This course may be useful for financial advisors, as it focuses on developing the communication and relationship-building skills necessary to establish trust with clients and effectively explain complex financial concepts. The course emphasizes the importance of building rapport with an audience and communicating with laser precision. A financial advisor can use these skills to build strong relationships with clients and provide them with sound financial advice.
Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent helps clients buy, sell, or rent properties. While this course does not directly address the technical aspects of real estate, it may be useful for developing the communication and relationship-building skills necessary to succeed in the real estate industry. The course emphasizes the importance of making a strong first impression, being a good conversationalist, and building deeper relationships. A real estate agent can use these skills to build trust with clients and effectively negotiate deals.
Lobbyist
Lobbyists work to influence government policy on behalf of organizations or special interest groups. This course may be useful for lobbyists because the role requires a strong grasp of persuasive speaking, relationship building, and general communication skills. The course goes over persuasion, building rapport, and storytelling. The course also emphasizes the importance of building relationships. This skillset may be helpful to lobbyists in their daily tasks.
University Professor
A university professor is responsible for teaching courses, conducting research, and mentoring students. Generally this role requires a doctorate. This course may be useful for university professors, as it focuses on developing communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills. The course emphasizes the importance of presenting ideas with poise and influence, which may be useful for teaching courses and presenting research findings. Professors may find the course helpful because it teaches people how to become better conversationalists.
Writer
A writer creates written content for various purposes, such as books, articles, or marketing materials. This career may be a fit because one of the skills discussed in the course is communication. One aspect of the course focuses on how to write reports or emails. The course discusses how storytelling is the most powerful way to convey any message. This may be useful to writers in their daily tasks.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Executive Presence: Moving From A Cubicle To A Corner Office.
Provides a foundational understanding of personal and interpersonal effectiveness, crucial for executive presence. It emphasizes principles like proactivity, beginning with the end in mind, and seeking first to understand, then to be understood. These habits directly relate to building strong relationships, communicating effectively, and leading with integrity, all essential for moving into a corner office. It commonly used reference for leadership development.
Explores the psychology behind persuasion and influence, providing valuable insights into how to communicate effectively and build consensus. Understanding these principles can help you gain buy-in for your ideas, lead with confidence, and achieve strategic levels of influence. It useful reference for anyone looking to improve their communication and leadership skills. It adds depth to the communication section of the course.

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