Home / Programmes / Impact, Influence and Confidence for HR Leaders

Impact, Influence and Confidence for HR Leaders

It's not right that HR expertise is often undervalued and overlooked, even though workforce issues affect most businesses top strategic priorities.

It's staggering that 99% of boards have a chief financial officer or a finance director among their members, but just 2% have an HR director as an executive, or non-exec, board member (CIPD, 2023).

This exclusive six-month programme addresses the challenge, by enabling HR leaders to drive real value at the highest level, communicate with impact and have more influence where it matters.

By joining us for this targeted training and group coaching cohort you will:

Develop a stronger personal brand as the ‘go-to’ trusted advisor in your organisation.

Learn techniques and models for clear, concise and impactful communication - and start using them straightaway.

Be able to confidently articulate the commercial aspects of the people agenda.

Shift perceptions of ‘just HR’ to that of a value-driving voice.

Enjoy support and accountability from an instant network of like-minded, HR professionals.

Join the next cohort now

Ideal for HR leaders and managers working at strategic levels, with senior teams.

Programme runs April to September 2025, with just 8 places available.

Investment cost available on request.

Email us now: hello@bitfamous.co.uk for a friendly no-obligation discovery call with Penny.

Debbie Griffin

Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive.

"In terms of ROI, I would estimate the programme has created a cost saving in excess of 10x the investment. And the feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive.

Bit Famous delivered content that has not only succeeded in strengthening our talent pipeline, it has rekindled a sense of dynamism, confidence and newfound ambition among attendees."

Debbie Griffin, Chief People & Marketing Officer, Shawbrook Bank

The benefits for you, your role and your career

Through discussion and experiential learning, we share theory, run practical exercises, set goals and keep you on track. This programme has been developed to support you with real-time workplace challenges and focus.

1. Immediate results you can use straight away

Each learning module delivers proven frameworks to boost your confidence and personal impact —so you see real impact from day one.

2. A clear, actionable development plan

Whether you’re advancing your career or growing in your role, we support you to set and achieve your goals.

 

3. A supportive and accountable network

Join a small cohort of carefully selected like-minded peers to share insights, gain support and be held accountable. The benefits of this are immeasurable.

How it works and what you get

The Impact, Influence and Confidence Programme includes highly valuable coaching and training in a  confidential small group setting. 

Time commitment: 4x in-person days, spread over 4 months. Plus 3x hours of coaching for each delegate, online.

Confidence workshop

You have 3 individual executive coaching sessions, to take at the start, middle and end of the programme.

4x in-person days. A full day of practical training and group coaching:

  • Learning and putting into practice models and techniques for impactful, on-point and confident communication
  • The scope of commercial impact you could be having with a stronger HR voice.
  • Real-life opportunities for raising your profile, sharing your expertise and having greater impact in presentations, on panels, podcasts and social media.
  • Facilitated peer advisory and group coaching time, to help you solve real-time problems and work towards achieving your goals.

We guarantee a 'no conflict of interest'  exclusive group of 6-8 high-calibre, like-minded HR leaders.

Membership of the cohort's WhatsApp accountability group.

Self-directed learning resources – videos, podcasts, book recommendations.

A copy of Make Yourself a Little Bit Famous by Penny Haslam.

Your programme facilitator and coach

Penny Haslam is your programme facilitator and executive coach. Her incredible background absolutely fits with the aims of this programme, with experience of working with 1000s of leaders and emerging talent across global organisations, empowering them to be more effective, more engaged and more confident.

Penny is an award-winning motivational speaker, executive coach and trainer on the subjects of Communication and Confidence. Prior to that she enjoyed a 20-year career as a national business journalist in the UK, presenting regularly on BBC Breakfast, the News Channel and Radio 5 Live.

She is the author of the highly practical business communication handbooks, Make Yourself a Little Bit Famous and Panel Discussions – The Ultimate Guide.

Penny prides herself on creating a relaxed learning environment that is fun, person centred, inclusive and focused on successful outcomes.

Workplace Confidence Podcast

Have you heard the Workplace Confidence Podcast?

Where people professionals share the great work they do. 

Listen to the trailer!

The benefits for your organisation

1. Stronger leadership influence

A senior HR leader who communicates with clarity and confidence gains greater buy-in from key decision makers, other senior leaders and employees. This means fewer bottlenecks, faster decision-making and smoother implementation of key initiatives.

2. Increased employee engagement and retention

HR leaders set the tone for company culture. If they can communicate effectively - whether in town halls, one-to-ones or strategy meetings - they inspire trust, alignment and motivation. That translates to lower staff turnover and higher productivity.

3. Better stakeholder relationships

HR leaders interact with a range of stakeholders - executives, investors, legal teams, supplier and employees at all levels. Improved communication skills help them handle high-stakes conversations, negotiate better outcomes and represent your company with credibility.

The challenge of receiving feedback as a leader

4. More impactful change management

Workplaces are constantly evolving, whether through restructures, policy shifts, or cultural initiatives. An HR leader who communicates with authority and empathy can manage change smoothly, thus reducing resistance and minimising disruption.

5. Enhanced employer brand and talent attraction

HR leaders often represent the company at industry events, on panels and in recruitment efforts. A leader with strong personal impact makes the business more attractive to top talent, giving it a competitive edge in hiring.

6. Risk reduction and crisis management

From handling redundancies to managing workplace disputes, HR leaders deal with sensitive situations. Strong communication skills ensure they can de-escalate issues, protect the company’s reputation and avoid costly legal troubles.

7. Increased boardroom presence

HR isn’t just about policies and transactions; it’s about shaping the business. A senior HR leader with strong executive presence will be taken more seriously in top level meetings, influencing strategic decisions that drive profitability and growth.

Participants’ feedback

Image

A fantastic, thought-provoking programme that resonates, inspires and empowers. Penny is so engaging in her delivery and has a style that encourages discussion and engagement from all involved. I joined this programme to gain confidence and quieten the negative inner voice that I always seem to listen to. Simply being around Penny and other like-minded individuals, hearing their stories, hints and tips has helped me achieve that.

Catherine Hesford, Head of HR, Shawbrook Bank

Image

Penny's presentation planner is a totally different method of planning, but it works. I used it when planning a presentation for an internal job interview. As a result, my planning time was reduced, I came up with a very clear message and I was offered the job! Without the programme, I'm not sure I'd have even considered applying in the first place.

Claire Crompton, Principal Engineer at Sir Robert McAlpine

Ellie Cronshaw

The programme was excellent. As soon as I joined the first session, I felt completely at ease in the group, everyone was so friendly and supportive. Penny was amazing at encouraging everyone to speak and very quickly identified individuals' strengths and areas to work on. The sessions pushed me out of my comfort zone and have given me valuable skills that have already helped with my visibility. I feel equipped with a simple but very effective toolkit that I can use in work and my personal life. I'm much more confident heading into presentations and situations where the spotlight is on me and I'm more comfortable 'putting myself out there'.

Ellie Cronshaw, (formerly) Learning Manager at Raise the Bar

Image

The IIC programme helped me understand unnoticed strengths and ways to overcome self-imposed barriers. This has made me more efficient, decisive, and articulate at work, positively impacting my mental well-being

Rachel Pegg, Head of Employee Communications at Shawbrook Bank

Awards Wreath

Finalist 

Personnel Today 

Learning and Development Supplier of the Year

2024

Awards Wreath

Finalist 

Business Book Awards

Short Business Book

 of the Year

2023

Awards Wreath

Finalist 

Lloyds Bank

Business Enabler

 of the Year

2022