Get Approval for Influence Advisory

A guide for getting professional development budget approved by your manager

Influence,
designed for impact work.

Work With Me

· Work With Me ·

YOU ARE A LEADER

NO MATTER WHERE YOU SIT IN THE ORG CHART

YOU ARE A LEADER · NO MATTER WHERE YOU SIT IN THE ORG CHART ·

What to say

Position this as PD

Frame your request as professional development in:

Stakeholder engagement
Strategic communication
Cross-functional leadership
Influence strategies for sustainability work

Not:

"Influence training" (sounds generic)
"Leadership coaching" (implies you're not already a leader)
"Help with my manager" (red flag)

Sample Request Email

Subject: Professional Development Request: Stakeholder Engagement Session(s)

Hi [Manager name],

I'd like to request professional development funding for a strategic advisory session focused on stakeholder engagement and cross-functional influence.

What it is: A 90-minute strategy session with Teslin Taylor (former Head of Sustainability, 10+ years experience) focused on navigating [specific challenge].

Why it's relevant: [Choose from framings below]

Investment: $650 / $1800 for 3-sessions (or $500 / $1400 if booking before March 31)

I'll receive a detailed action plan and written summary to apply immediately to [project/initiative].

Happy to provide more details if needed!

Thanks,
[Your name]

How to frame it

Explain why it’s relevant

Choose the framing that fits your situation:

Tied to a specific project: "I'm working on [living wage strategy / climate disclosure / etc.] and need to secure C-suite endorsement. This session will help me build an influence strategy designed for this type of work and specific to our organisation."

Tied to a skill gap: "I want to develop my cross-functional influence capabilities to help with effective execution. This addresses a skill gap I've identified in my professional development plan."

Tied to role effectiveness: "A key part of my role is getting buy-in from teams who don't report to me. I want to strengthen my ability to navigate these dynamics."

Tied to upcoming milestone: "We have [C-suite presentation / board update] coming up and I want to approach it strategically for the nuance of [the impact area you’re working on]."

What Not to Say

"I need help influencing my manager"
(they'll wonder why you're not asking them)

"I'm struggling to get people to listen"
(sounds like performance issue)

"I don't know how to do my job"
(undermines credibility)

"I want leadership coaching"
(implies you're not ready for your role)

Common Questions
(and how to answer them)

Good response: "You're a great mentor, and I really value your guidance on [specific things]. This is focused on a specific methodology for sustainability professionals navigating stakeholders who don't have sustainability in their KPIs — which is a unique dynamic. The advisor specialises in this exact challenge."
Good response: "I've explored those options. The challenge is that generic influence training doesn't account for sustainability-specific dynamics — like navigating stakeholders with different KPIs and leading without formal authority. I need strategic guidance specific to our context."
Good response: "It's comparable to other executive advisory sessions, and includes a 90-minute live session plus written action plan and resources. I see it as a strategic investment in [project] with immediate application."
Good response: "The advisor is a former Head of Sustainability with 10+ years experience in this field. The methodology is designed specifically for sustainability professionals navigating influence without authority — exactly what I'm facing. Happy to share more background if helpful."

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR MANAGER:

Before the session: Intake form to clarify your challenge

During the session (90 minutes): Diagnosis of what's blocking you + application of framework + development of action plan

After the session (within 48 hours): Written summary with your action plan and resources

Plus: Receipt for reimbursement as professional development

What You’ll Receive

Influence,
designed for impact work.

Work With Me

· Work With Me ·

Roadblock

If your manager feels threatened

Some managers might wonder: "Why isn't my mentorship enough?"

How to navigate this:

Do:

Affirm their mentorship
Position as supplementary and specialised (not replacement)
Frame as specific skill gap (stakeholder engagement)
Emphasise sustainability-specific dynamics

Don't:

Imply their mentorship isn't working
Position as "coaching"
Make it sound like you're going around them

Script

"I really value your mentorship, especially on [specific things].

This is focused on a very specific challenge: influencing stakeholders who don't have sustainability in their KPIs and don't report to me. It's unique to sustainability roles.

I see it as building a skill that will make me more effective in executing on [project/initiative]."