Politics with Impact

Democracy is a cooperation of people fighting each other. (Gaston Durnez)

Training

Increase your political impact.

Persuasiveness, debating skills, and acuity: skills necessary for effective politics. Whether you’re a council member, alderman, member of parliament, or chairperson, our energetic and targeted training sessions help political professionals act powerfully, credibly, and agilely at the heart of democracy. Our interactive sessions combine humor, practical experience, and proven methods. This enhances debates, meetings, and every political conversation.

Chairing

Conversations that connect, deepen and strengthen.

Whether it’s kicking off the political season, an integrity dialogue, fine-tuning the meeting format, or a post-election introduction – effective discussion leadership makes all the difference. ImpactAll guides political discussions with clarity, structure, and a sense of dynamics. We create space for dialogue, ensure clarity, and strengthen mutual understanding. In this way, we work together to build a political climate where differences constructively clash and connect.

Visibility

Council in Focus: Making Visible What Often Remains Hidden

Behind the council chamber lies a world of dedication, ideals, and tireless commitment to the local community. With “Raad in Beeld,” we bring this world to life. Through video portraits, we show who our council members are, what drives them, and how they—often invisibly—dedicate themselves with heart, soul, and dedication. For residents, this offers a unique glimpse into political work and the people behind it. Because democracy is strengthened when we get to know its faces.

All Political Trainings

Effective Chairing

In the Effective Chairing training, participants strengthen their chairing skills. They learn how to effectively lead a meeting with authentic authority, equality, and a sense of meeting dynamics.

In the Powerful Debating training, participants learn the techniques to construct a convincing argument, how to enter into debate with confidence and how to deal effectively with sharp questions or difficult counterarguments.

Political Effectiveness

During Political Effectiveness, political professionals learn how to act effectively and credibly within the various phases of the political process. We alternate between the power of questioning, vigorous debate, sharpness, and purposefulness.

Induction programme for the Council

Een sterke start voor een daadkrachtige raad. We maken een inwerkprogramma op maat voor nieuwe én herkozen raadsleden. Daarbij combineren we kennisoverdracht met praktijkgerichte werkvormen. Zo brengen we cultuur, structuur en vaardigheden samen in één krachtig traject.

Leading conversations

ImpactAll offers professional facilitation for political meetings where focus, safety, and results must be combined. We create space for genuine dialogue and an equal platform for participants. We safeguard the structure and dynamics, ensuring the objectives, atmosphere, and progress.

Extensive information about our political training courses

Effective Chairing

Effectively lead a meeting with authentic authority and a sense of dynamism.

The chairperson is more than just a process monitor. A good chairperson helps determine the pace, tone, and flow of the political discussion. A skilled chairperson knows how to create space where possible and adjust where necessary. This creates a meeting in which everyone is heard – from party leader to speaker – and in which decisions are reached carefully, effectively, and with broad support.

At ImpactAll, we believe that good chairing is essential for a healthy political culture. A strong chairperson prevents endless repetition, defuses heated escalations, and creates space for a genuine exchange of views, without politically interfering in the discussion. In this way, the chairperson contributes to the authority and quality of the entire political system.

Our Effective Chairing training is designed for council chairs, committee chairs, working group chairs, provincial council members, and members of parliament who hold a chairperson role. During the interactive sessions, we address familiar situations, practice with concrete cases, and provide practical feedback on posture, language use, and interventions. We always tailor the training to the meeting model, political culture, and specific learning needs.

Topics frequently covered include:

  • Expert meeting preparation: gaining a grip on content, process, and roles
  • Leading with a strong opening: setting the tone, structure, and expectations
  • Intervening and constructively adjusting: intervening with authority while maintaining the relationship
  • Stimulating debate and interaction: creating space for political exchange without letting things get bogged down
  • Time management: conducting efficient meetings without compromising the content
  • Giving speakers a platform: combining space, safety, and control
  • Dealing with resistance: how to recognize and effectively channel tension
  • Effective closing: making clear decisions and concluding the discussion with dignity

 

Participants actively engage and immediately apply new techniques in practice situations that are close to their daily lives. This way, tips and tools are immediately embedded, and what they’ve learned can be effortlessly applied in the next meeting.

Do you want to chair meetings with greater confidence, flexibility, and impact? Then this training is a valuable investment in your leadership and in the functioning of the democratic process.

Who is this training for?

Council chairs, committee chairs, working group chairs, provincial council members, and Members of Parliament who chair.

In the Effective Chairing training…

  • We create consistency in what chairs do.
  • We encourage a personal, authentic style in how chairs lead meetings.
  • Chairs practice with recognizable situations.
  • We work with reflection, sharpness, and humor.
  • We can use video footage of a meeting for added depth.

Powerful Debating

Asking sharp questions, responding effectively and speaking powerfully: ingredients for a strong debate.

In a healthy democracy, debate is an essential tool. It enables political representatives to explore differences of opinion, clarify positions, and guide decisions. At the same time, today’s debate demands balance more than ever: between sharpness and connection, between persuasion and listening, between emotion and substance.

Our “Persuasive Debating” training course is designed for representatives at all levels – from municipal councils to the House of Representatives. We are regularly booked by individual politicians, parliamentary groups, and clerks who want to strengthen the entire council in one go. Each training session focuses on a personalized approach: we always tailor the program to the local or national context, the experience level of the participants, and the specific goals.

During the sessions, which are always interactive, energetic, and practice-oriented, we work on strengthening personal style, debate technique, and substantive persuasiveness. In this way, we help political professionals maneuver agilely and credibly in any type of debate – from committee to plenary.

Common themes include:

  • Effectively switching between debate, dialogue, and argument
  • Strategically asking questions
  • Substantiating a political position
  • Meaningfully and sharply interrupting
  • Speaking clearly and audience-focused
  • Strengthening mutual interaction
  • Concise and persuasive formulation
  • Voice, posture, and nonverbal communication as sources of authority

 

Whether you’re just starting out or have been involved for years, this training offers insights, techniques, and feedback that are immediately applicable in political work. Always with an eye for authenticity, nuance, and results.

Who is this training for?

Managers and political representatives at all levels. The training can be taken individually, but also with, for example, the party group or the entire council.

In the “Powerful Debating” training…

  • We strengthen the personal style that suits individual participants.
  • We focus on strong and persuasive speaking.
  • We don’t overlook the importance of asking questions and listening.
  • We examine how content and form reinforce each other.
  • We work interactively, sharply, and with humor.

Political Effectiveness

Political gain lies in the moment: knowing what works and when.

Politics is about timing, tone, and tactics. Effective representatives know not only what they want to say, but especially when and how to deliver it. In political decision-making, structure and strategy are at least as important as content. By better connecting with the phase of the decision-making process, both the individual and the collective achieve more.

The Political Effectiveness training focuses on the meeting model – similar to the widely used BOB model (Perception, Judgment, Decision). Each phase requires a different role, a different tone, and a different form of contribution. Those who are aware of this and respond accordingly come across as stronger, avoid frustration, and increase their influence on the outcome.

During this training, participants learn how to act effectively and credibly within the different phases of the political process. This means: creating space for exploration and questions during the perception phase; daring to engage in exploratory debate during the judgment phase; and concluding the decision with clarity and purpose.

The training is aimed at council members, committee members, and other political representatives who want to increase their influence within the decision-making process. We regularly work for clerks, who use this training to improve the effectiveness of the council as a whole.

In this training, we cover, among other things:

  • Recognizing the different meeting phases and what is and isn’t effective in each phase
  • The right tone, style, and structure for each phase (exploring, interpreting, deciding)
  • Strategic use of tools such as motions, amendments, and questions
  • Clearing political colors at the right time
  • Improving collaboration and interaction between factions
  • Balance between personal profile and the collective interest
  • Relatable cases from your own municipal council or parliamentary practice
  • Smartly adapting to agendas, timing, and processes

 

Our approach is practical, energetic, and immediately applicable. Through realistic exercises, structured feedback, and customized solutions, we connect with the daily realities of council work or parliamentary practice. This way, we ensure that every participant—whether beginner or experienced—increases their political effectiveness, and that the council functions better as a whole.

Who is this training for?

Political representatives at all levels: council members, Provincial Councils, Water Boards, Members of Parliament, parliamentary groups, and clerks who want to train the entire council.

In the Political Effectiveness training…

  • We separate the main points from the details.
  • We explore different political styles and what works effectively in which phase.
  • We work within the context of our client.
  • We address individual and collective learning needs for optimal results.
  • We focus on various aspects of political reality.

Induction programme for the Council

A strong start for an effective council.

The first few months after the elections are crucial. They form the foundation on which a council develops – in collaboration, decision-making, and political effectiveness. A good induction program provides more than just information: it lays the foundation for a council that knows what it does, how it collaborates, and how it directs the community.

ImpactAll provides interactive induction programs for new and re-elected council members. We combine knowledge transfer with practical working methods. In this way, we bring culture, structure, and skills together in one powerful program.

Our induction programs include:

  • Dynamic introductory sessions: building trust, atmosphere, and connection
  • Simulations and role-playing: insight into decision-making, roles, and meeting structure
  • Political Effectiveness Training: learning what works in each phase of the decision-making process (e.g., the designated leadership model)
  • Effective Chairing Training: for committee and council chairs who want to lead meetings with authority and flexibility
  • Quizzes on roles, rights, and instruments: gaining a handle on powers and procedures in a playful way
  • Reflection on political culture: what kind of council do we want to be, and how do we collaborate despite differences?

 

The program is always tailored to the local context, political dynamics, and the wishes of the secretariat. The active working methods not only create greater insight but also energize and foster ownership. Council members learn not only what their role is, but especially how to be effective and credible in it—as individuals and as a collective.

A strong council starts with a good start. With a strong induction program, you will lay a solid foundation for four years of decisive, constructive, and visible council work.

Who is this training for?

Entire municipal councils at the start of a new council term, both new and existing council members.

ImpactAll’s induction program…

  • Can be fully customized to meet specific needs.
    Lays an excellent foundation for the entire council term.
  • Strengthens mutual trust, atmosphere, and connection from the first meeting.
  • Provides clarity in structure, a positive culture, and strong skills for a well-functioning council.
  • Can be reinforced through refresher sessions during the council term.

Leading conversations

Professional discussion leadership for political meetings where focus, safety and results must come together.

A good conversation can create momentum, ease tension, sharpen ideas, or even restore connection. But that doesn’t happen automatically. Especially in the political arena—where interests clash, emotions can run high, and agendas are often full—facilitating conversations is a specialized skill.

ImpactAll offers professional facilitation for political meetings where focus, safety, and results must come together. We create space for genuine dialogue, ensure structure and dynamism, and simultaneously safeguard the atmosphere and progress.

Our facilitators are expert in content, process-aware, and politically sensitive. We guide with authority and sensitivity, ensuring participants feel heard and that the conversation is not only productive but also productive.

Examples of facilitated meetings:

  • Opening of the political season – focusing on connection, collaboration, and political ambition
  • Integrity discussions – carefully guided, allowing for vulnerability and responsibility
  • Introductory sessions after elections – accessible and substantive, with opportunities for interaction and positioning
  • In-depth discussions – about political culture or collaboration
  • Development sessions – focusing on refining the meeting model (e.g., BOB)
  • Reflection evenings – with residents, councils, or political groups

 

We carefully coordinate each meeting with the clerk’s office, mayor, or client. We consider the purpose, the group, the atmosphere, and sensitivities. Our working methods are interactive, our tone is careful, and our style is always engaged, goal-oriented, and professional.

ImpactAll’s discussion leadership is:

  • Neutral, but not aloof
  • Structured, but not rigid
  • Provocative, but always respectful
  • Goal-oriented, but with room for process

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