Lateral Leadership - Influencing others without having a leadership position (Online) (only in English)

• 26.08.2025, 14:00 - 16:00

• 02.09.2025, 14:30 - 17:00: Study Buddy Group 1

• 09.09.2025, 14:00 - 17:00: Study Buddy Group 2

• 23.09.2025, 14:00 - 16:00: Check-In 1

• 21.10.2025, 14:30 - 16:00: Study Buddy Group 3

• 04.11.2025, 14:00 - 16:30: Check-In 2

• 18.11.2025, 15:00 - 16:30: Study Buddy Group 4

• 25.11.2025, 14:00 - 16:00: Final Check-In

• Gottschewski,?Eva  ()

• Kursadministration,?Development & Leadership, ETH Z¨¹rich  ()

Option 1: If you realize or find it most likely that you won¡¯t be able to join all the meetings and don¡¯t want to let down you peer group, please sign up for our self-paced learning programme:https://eth-hr-kurse.thinkific.com/order?ct=d6471707-0706-4721-90eb-a934b6d3fe36

This self-paced programme lets you apply new knowledge and techniques on your own. You can ask questions during several "Walk-In sessions." You can start this program at any time.

Option 2: This option includes - additionally to the self-paced learning programme - a deeper learning experience with many opportunities for discussion and exchange, benefiting from the thoughts, ideas, and insights of your peers. To fully benefit from these special learning experiences, it is indispensable to attend all group meetings.

ETH employees often face situations in their daily routines at work, in which they wish they could have more influence in project decisions, however, they do not have the authority to issue directives themselves. They therefore usually use the techniques they know and with which they feel comfortable: reasoning and discussing issues skillfully. Eventually, however, they often observe, with great frustration, that their plans are not always realized for reasons they cannot understand.

This 4-?day learning program covers a wide range of techniques that can be used to exert influence and deal with resistance. During the course, participants are asked to describe a challenge they have (e.g. personal case study), which they wish to resolve. The program will help participants to directly implement what they have learned to support them with their own case study. This learning program comprises:

• 4 Zoom sessions (Kick-?off, two intermediate check-?ins with the course instructor and final workshop)
• 4 peer-?group meetings
• Several self-?paced learning modules that can be completed by oneself

• Understand the term of ¡°lateral leadership¡±
• Learn about the six main strategies used to build influence: reasoning, authority, sympathy, lobbying, negotiation, assertiveness
• Successfully apply different influence strategies to help with your personal case study
• Tackle challenges strategically: analyze the environment with a ?stakeholder-?map?, work out different options and scenarios for action
• Acquire different perspectives concerning your case and improve your line of reasoning accordingly
• Be aware of your own strengths and communicate them in a persuasive manner

• Technical/Admin. Staff
• Team Leaders (Technical/Admin. Staff)
• Doctoral students
• Established Researchers
• Senior Scientists
• Postdocs

Eva Gottschewski, /staffnet/de/organisation/abteilungen/vppl/kontakt/personendetails.geva.html