Strategic Influence: Applying Political Campaign Principles to Get Things Done

Politics is everywhere, including inside our own organisations. Whether we like it or not, our success depends on how well we play the game. This isn’t people pleasing or manipulation, and it’s not about becoming like a politician. It’s about using our soft power intentionally to influence the right people and move our work forward.

In this session, Emma Gibbens will share campaign principles to help you move your projects forward, build mutually beneficial collaborations, and communicate with influence. Her 17 years of experience started with the Obama campaign in 2008 and took her around the world, eventually leading the Marriage Equality Campaign in WA and launching the COVID-19 vaccine campaign. The session is practical, direct, and designed for women navigating influence in large organisations, with tools you can use immediately, examples from the campaign trail, and a fresh way to think about getting traction on important work.

Key learning outcomes include:

• Mapping the stakeholders around you and understanding where to invest effort for the greatest return.
• Building coalitions using community organising principles, matching needs with resources to create mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Maintaining momentum to keep moving after the first conversation.
• Preparing for high-stakes conversations so you walk in clear, calm, and ready.

Politics isn’t a dirty word. It’s communication, strategy, and influence and it’s a capability worth strengthening.