Executive Lens Simulation: Leading through Alignment, Friction and Influence
Mike Li
Ex-Amazon Director/General Manager
Build Executive Presence Into Your Muscle Memory
Most professionals spend a decade trying to guess the unspoken rules of the Executives. This course compresses that 10-year learning curve into a single experience. We shift your trajectory from an overlooked contributor to a reputable, confident leader by putting you in the 'hot seat.' You won't just learn the theory and frameworks of influence. Through well-designed simulation sessions, you will build the muscle memory required to lead through friction, manage up with ease, and level up your career trajectory.
Live-Fire Simulations (4+ Hours): The Role Play Lab. You’ll step into the "hot seat" to role-play your toughest upcoming meetings. I will push back, challenge your logic, and help you pivot in real-time.
Strategic Combat Q&A (6+ Hours): Bring your real-world "Managing Up" roadblocks. We’ll deconstruct your specific stakeholder dynamics and script your next move.
The Foundation (Self-Paced): 29 Modules & 48 Lectures. Master the mechanics of influence on your own time so we can spend our live sessions doing the real work.
What you’ll learn
Master the psychological triggers and strategic alignment frameworks used by VPs and Directors to assess leadership potential.
Learning through simulation of establishing foundational relationship with your leadership
How to understand your manager's perspective and tailor your strategy accordingly
How to create a roadmap to identify and strategically influence key stakeholders outside your direct team.
Learning through simulation of how to reframe conflict-driven discussion into productive
How to master the preparation framework for crucial meetings, including handling the worst-case scenarion
How to prepare and execute influence before, during, and after crucial discussions
Learning through simulation of how to own the room and ensure your presence is perceived as leadership
Exact steps on how to prep for, facilitate, recap, and follow up on all meetings (cadence, ad-hoc, etc.)
How to master the skill of handling disagreement and playing the room with grace to show leadership.
Who this course is for
This course is designed for high-performing leaders who realize that technical excellence is no longer enough to move the needle.
You should enroll if you feel your contributions are overlooked or underestimated in high-stakes meetings or email chains.
ICs/managers who are ready to start mastering strategic communication to build credibility and influence your career trajectory
Prerequisites
English Proficiency:
Students must have proficiency in Business English. This course will focus on communication strategy, not basic grammar or vocabulary.
Professional Experience:
Students should be currently working in or seeking roles that require regular interaction with international or English-speaking teams.
Mindset:
A willingness to shift focus from mere language fluency (grammar, accent) to strategic impact (structure, delivery, and cultural decoding).
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Mike Li in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.
Course syllabus
8 live sessions • 50 lessons
Week 1
Self-paced study module 1 - Managing up & stakeholder management frameworks
Self-paced study module 2 - Friction & Conflict Handling and Reframing
Self-paced study module 3 - Influence without Authority case study and framework
Mar
14
Intro & Q&A #1 with Mike
Mar
14
Simulation Class 1: [Managing up & personal brand building] Simulation & Real-time Feedback
Mar
15
Q&A #2 with Mike
Mar
15
Simulation Class 2: [Handle frictions & conflicts in meetings & Leading meetings with influence] Simulation & Real-time Feedback
Week 2
Mar
16
Optional: Q&A #3 with Mike
Mar
17
Optional: Q&A #4 with Mike
Mar
20
Optional: Q&A #5 with Mike
Mar
21
Optional: Q&A #6 with Mike
Free resources
Schedule
Live sessions
12 hrs
4 simulation scenarios + 6 Live office hours
Sat, Mar 14
3:45 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
Sat, Mar 14
5:00 PM—7:15 PM (UTC)
Sun, Mar 15
3:45 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
Pre-recording contents
4 hrs
Alumni Network
Frequently asked questions
Mengxi's experience as a non-native speaker promoted to Director
Lecture+Live Q&A+Role Play simulations to maximize student gain
Three role-play simulation and real time feedback sessions
$797
USD