Executive facing a wall of interlocking gears

One-day workshop · Brussels

The Art of Influence: Mastering Persuasion for Successful Negotiation

With Prof. Paul Fisher, Director of the Negotiation Programme at Saïd Business School, Oxford University.

27 May 2027Hilton Double Tree, Ginestestraat 3, 1210 Brussels

Overview

Outcomes are shaped by more than facts and logic

Successful negotiators understand that outcomes are shaped not only by facts and logic but also by influence, persuasion, stakeholder dynamics, and behavioral psychology.

This intensive one-day workshop equips participants with practical influence and persuasion techniques that can be applied before, during, and after negotiations. Drawing on behavioral science, communication strategies, and real-world negotiation practice, participants will learn how to build credibility, shape perceptions, manage resistance, and achieve better outcomes while maintaining strong relationships.

Format: interactive workshop combining frameworks, case studies, practical exercises, and negotiation simulations.

Learning objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • ✓Understand the psychology behind influence and decision-making.
  • ✓Apply proven persuasion principles in negotiation situations.
  • ✓Increase their ability to gain commitment and reduce resistance.
  • ✓Identify and respond to common influence tactics used by counterparts.
  • ✓Build trust and credibility under pressure.
  • ✓Frame proposals more effectively to maximize acceptance.
  • ✓Manage difficult stakeholders and competing interests.
  • ✓Conduct negotiations with greater confidence and strategic impact.

Programme

Agenda

Morning

Session 1 — The Psychology of Influence

  • How people make decisions
  • Rational vs emotional drivers
  • Cognitive biases affecting negotiations
  • Building credibility and authority
  • Trust as a negotiation accelerator

Key takeaway: Understanding what truly drives agreement and commitment.

Session 2 — Persuasion Tactics that Work

  • Reciprocity, social proof, authority
  • Consistency and commitment
  • Scarcity
  • Framing and anchoring
  • When to use each tactic — and recognizing manipulation attempts

Afternoon

Session 3 — Influencing During Negotiation

  • Opening positions and anchors
  • Asking high-impact questions
  • Managing objections effectively
  • Reading stakeholder motivations
  • Creating value before claiming value
  • Influencing without formal authority

Session 4 — Handling Difficult Negotiations

  • Resistance and pushback
  • High-pressure tactics
  • Emotional reactions and conflict
  • Power imbalances
  • Deadlock situations and regaining momentum

Session 5 — Negotiation Simulation and Action Planning

  • A realistic negotiation exercise applying the day's learning
  • Influence strategy and persuasion techniques
  • Stakeholder management and negotiation planning
Prof. Paul Fisher

Your trainer

Prof. Paul Fisher

Programme Director, Oxford Programme on Negotiation — Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Prof. Paul Fisher is Programme Director of the Oxford Programme on Negotiation (OPN). As well as teaching on OPN, Paul teaches negotiation, persuasion and influence, decision-making and leadership on a variety of other programmes at the School.

Paul also programme directs leadership programmes for major organisations including the UN World Food Programme and the Bank of Jamaica, and is Programme Director of the Women's World Banking Leadership and Diversity Programme for Regulators and the Oxford Senior Executive Leadership Programme.

Outside the School, Paul teaches negotiation at the William J Clinton Leadership Institute, Queen's University Belfast, and the Western University of Ukraine, where he is Visiting Professor. He is also Programme Director of the Small Countries Financial Management Programme, held in Oxford and the Isle of Man.

Methodology

How you will learn

  • Expert facilitation
  • Behavioral science insights
  • Interactive discussions
  • Practical negotiation exercises
  • Role plays and simulations
  • Real-world business examples
  • Individual feedback and reflection

Expected outcomes

What you will take away

  • ✓Negotiate more effectively and confidently.
  • ✓Increase their ability to influence decisions.
  • ✓Better understand counterpart motivations.
  • ✓Apply ethical persuasion techniques strategically.
  • ✓Handle difficult conversations with greater control.
  • ✓Achieve stronger outcomes while preserving relationships.

Registration

Register for the workshop

Complete the form and send it to info@globalbusmag.com. Your email program opens with your registration pre-filled — just press send.

Inscription fee

€980

Including lunch, excluding VAT.

Conditions

Applicants can withdraw without penalty within 14 days after their registration by registered post. After that date inscription fees are charged. However, transfers to other persons are allowed. Information on the website can be subjected to changes. Tuition fee has to be transferred within 7 days after your application has been accepted on BEO Bank, Graaf Van Vlaanderenplein 19, 9000 Gent, Belgium, BIC code: CTBKBEBX; account number IBAN code BE 94 1096 6431 1714. Tuition fees are without 21% VAT for participants/organisations outside Belgium. Applications will be confirmed at the latest 30 days after receiving them. Any dispute the present inscription might give rise to falls within the exclusive competence of the court of Gent, Belgium. The Belgian law shall apply.

Leadership

Two other leadership experts in Brussels

Prof. Randall Peterson

London Business School

  • Leading and motivating a High Performance Team
  • How to cope with conflicts and difficult personalities within your team

Prof. Andreas Bernhardt

INSEAD

  • Leading under pressure
  • The Leader as Coach

For more info and deadlines, visit globalmagevents.com/getting-most-out-your-team

About us

Learning from the very best

Since 2014 managers and high ranking civil servants have followed our highly praised trainings and workshops with world authorities from the best European business schools such as London Business School, INSEAD, HEC Paris, Cambridge, IMD Lausanne or Oxford. All our experts have an impressive track record in advising and accompanying executives around the world.

For more information go to globalmagevents.com.

Global also proposes a unique free business e-magazine featuring articles from the world's most prestigious business schools: Harvard, Wharton, Yale, Cambridge, HEC Paris, Stanford, IMD Lausanne, Oxford, London Business School, Berkeley, University of Chicago, INSEAD. Go for your free subscription at globalbusmag.com.

Contact

Get in touch

Global
Steilvoordehof 2, 9070 Heusden, Belgium
Phone
+32 479 86 65 57 (1–6pm)