December 8, 2026 | 8:30am-Noon
VIRTUAL SESSION via Zoom
Leaders who move the meter understand the behavior science around influence. They authentically and effectively shape the opinions of peers, stakeholders, clients, and direct reports. Without influence, you cannot be successful in advancing the businesses, organizations, and people you serve. During this interactive session, you will learn how to more effectively persuade others while exploring multiple dimensions of power and political agility. Discussions and activities will include a focus on the state of your internal and external networks. You will leave the session with practical tools for building your influence across your organization.
What You Will Learn
Those in attendance will learn that in order to influence and persuade others:
- Solidifying trust must be a primary focus
- Your network must be defined, cohesive, and flourishing
- You must practice the law of reciprocity
- All “seven keys” of influence and persuasion must be leveraged
About the Instructor
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Mike Allison is the Vice President of Talent at Spotlight (Analyst Relations) where he oversees talent acquisition, leadership development, and employee growth/engagement. Spotlight was named Kansas City’s best place to work (medium-sized company) by the Kansas City Business Journal in 2023. Ingram’s magazine also bestowed similar recognition. Mike is also an Adjunct Professor and Bloch Executive Education instructor within the Bloch School at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC).
Prior to his role at Spotlight, Mike enjoyed over 22 years of healthcare IT leadership experience working at Cerner. His final role there involved leading a group of faculty who developed and delivered advanced education to cohorts of Veterans Administration (VA) clinicians, informaticists, and analytics professionals. He also worked with internal and external leaders on change management and other organizational development initiatives. Previously, Mike held executive responsibilities over Cerner’s client and associate learning organizations. His award-winning teams, many of which were internationally based, provided practical and effective end-to-end learning solutions to Cerner clients and associates around the world.
Mike also spent a year as the Vice President of Learning and Development at AMC Theatres where he led a team of learning professionals focused on building, supporting, and retaining talent across multiple guest-facing brands.
Mike regularly carries out public speaking engagements and provides coaching to business leaders across the Kansas City metropolitan area. He presents and instructs on diverse topics such as leading through change, emotional intelligence, holding difficult conversations, building a culture of feedback, advanced presentation techniques, cultivating trust, and executive presence.
Prior to working in the private sector, Mike was involved in city management for three years. He worked primarily as a management analyst for the city of Kansas City, Mo. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) from Brigham Young University.
Mike is married to Amy Allison, a non-profit leader serving as the Executive Director for The Farmer’s House. They have three young adult children (girl, boy, girl). Besides being an avid family man, Mike is passionate about volunteering, seeing the world, hiking, music, disc golf, and all things San Francisco. He was born and raised in the “City by the Bay.”
Program Details
Online Seminars
All online seminars are hosted in real-time via Zoom. Be prepared to participate with your class in discussion with your instructor.
Cancellation & Transfer Policy
Seminar participants (or their organizational representative) should call or email Bloch Executive Education in order to change or cancel registrations. Cancellations made prior to 7 days from the seminar date are eligible for credit towards a future seminar but are ineligible for refund. Credit for future seminar is valid through the following seminar year. Seminar registrations may be transferred from one individual to another up to 7 days before any elected seminar. Cancellations made within 7 days from the seminar date are non-transferable and non-refundable. Bloch Executive Education reserves the right to make changes to the cancellation policy and transfer policy. The current policies will be posted on our website and will be observed regardless of previous policies or standards. “No-shows” are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
Photo and Video Release
By attending the event, you are giving Bloch School of Management permission to use photos and videos from the workshop in future promotional materials.
Available Discount Programs
UMKC and Bloch Executive Education Alumni, Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS members, CX Central Exchange members, Saint Luke’s Health System employees, Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce members – you qualify for discounted seminar registration.
If any of the above categories apply to you, please contact us at umkcexeced@umkc.edu or 816-235-2892 to take advantage of discounted rates.
