Social Intelligence | Interpersonal Competencies

Leverage neuroscience to enhance your strategic communication with senior management and the Board. Learn how to deliver audit insights that influence decision-making, manage high-stakes discussions, and drive organizational change at the executive level.

Suggested training duration: Three half‑day sessions (total 1.5 days)

Training Description
As audit executives, the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, the Board, and strategic stakeholders is a key driver of success. This training, based on the latest brain research, empowers audit leaders to refine their communication strategies for maximum impact. Understanding how the brain processes information, emotion, and decision-making will allow you to tailor your messages in ways that resonate with top-level decision-makers.

This course focuses on high-level communication techniques that enable audit management to present complex audit findings persuasively, manage conflicts with strategic finesse, and build stronger relationships with key stakeholders. You will learn how to shape discussions that lead to action, influence decision-making with precision, and foster an environment of trust and collaboration.

By the end of this training, you will have mastered the tools needed to elevate your leadership communication and align it with the cognitive processes of senior management, ensuring your insights drive meaningful change. 

Learning Objectives:

1.        Master executive-level communication techniques that align with how the brain processes information and decision-making.

2.        Develop skills to present complex audit findings persuasively to senior management and the Board.

3.        Learn to manage high-stakes conversations with key stakeholders using emotional intelligence and brain science.

4.        Gain advanced conflict resolution skills to address disagreements and ensure audit recommendations are accepted.

5.        Tailor your communication style to align with the leadership perspectives and strategic priorities of executive teams.

6.        Use neuroscience-based techniques to influence Board-level decision-making and shape discussions that lead to action.

7.        Build trust and credibility with senior leadership by demonstrating an understanding of their cognitive and emotional drivers.

8.        Lead audit teams with enhanced communication strategies, ensuring alignment between executive priorities and audit deliverables. 

Audit Training Agenda:

1. Understanding Executive-Level Communication and Brain Science

• How senior leaders process complex information and make decisions
• The role of emotional intelligence in executive communication
• Aligning audit messages with leadership priorities

2. Delivering Persuasive Audit Insights to the Board and Senior Management

• Structuring audit reports and presentations for executive consumption
• Strategies for influencing Board decisions using neuroscience-backed communication
• Engaging senior leaders with clarity and confidence

3. Managing Conflict and Strategic Negotiation at the Executive Level

• Advanced conflict resolution techniques for handling high-level disagreements
• Negotiation strategies that align with cognitive and emotional drivers
• Ensuring audit recommendations are accepted and acted upon

4. Building Strong Stakeholder Relationships Through Trust

• Fostering long-term relationships with senior leaders and Board members
• Using brain-based techniques to build rapport and trust
• Communicating in a way that resonates with strategic decision-makers

5. Adapting Communication to Leadership Styles

• Tailoring your communication to the different leadership styles of executives
• Understanding and addressing the cognitive biases of senior leaders
• Customizing your approach for maximum impact

6. Advanced Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Communication

• Leveraging emotional intelligence to lead effective discussions
• Recognizing and managing emotional triggers in high-stakes conversations
• Enhancing communication through self-awareness and empathy

7. Practical Case Studies and Applications for Audit Executives

• Real-world case studies of executive-level audit communication
• Hands-on exercises to refine communication strategies with senior stakeholders
• Feedback sessions to improve leadership-level communication skills

Next-Level Audit Communication Techniques: Using HiANCA Neuroscience to Drive Impact

Leverage the power of neuroscience to enhance your audit communication. Transform the way you communicate with business counterparts and team members by leveraging the latest insights from brain research. Learn how to structure your language, adapt your behaviour, and engage stakeholders effectively, ensuring your audit findings are accepted and drive meaningful organizational change.

Suggested training duration: Three half‑day sessions (total 1.5 days)

Target Group: Training for Internal Auditors as Team Members

Training Description
Internal auditors are often at the frontline of critical discussions, navigating challenging conversations with business counterparts and team members. This training equips internal auditors with neuroscience-based communication techniques to enhance their interactions, improve collaboration, and strengthen audit outcomes.

By understanding how the brain processes information and emotions, participants will learn to adjust their communication style for greater impact, gain buy-in on audit findings, and resolve conflicts with ease. This course focuses on practical tools that auditors can apply immediately, from conducting interviews and gathering information to presenting audit results. The techniques covered will help auditors foster stronger relationships with business units, handle pushback effectively, and ensure their audit insights are implemented.

This training ensures that auditors develop communication skills that are aligned with the latest cognitive research, making them more persuasive, adaptable, and effective in their roles.

Learning Objectives:

1.        Understand the principles of brain-based communication and their impact on audit interactions.

2.        Master the art of presenting audit findings in a way that resonates with business counterparts, senior management.

3.        Learn to influence decision-making by aligning your communication with how the brain processes information.

4.        Gain conflict resolution techniques to handle pushback and disagreements with business units.

5.        Develop active listening skills to gather deeper insights during interviews and audit discussions.

6.        Tailor your communication style to the specific needs and emotional triggers of different stakeholders.

7.        Learn to build trust with auditees by understanding the cognitive and emotional factors influencing their behavior.

8.        Improve collaboration within audit teams through enhanced interpersonal communication techniques.

9.        Develop skills to ensure audit recommendations are accepted and implemented by business units. 

Audit Training Agenda:

1. Introduction to Brain-Based Communication for Auditors

• Understanding how the brain processes communication
• The link between emotions, behaviour, and decision-making
• Aligning communication with cognitive processes for better audit outcomes

2. Presenting Audit Findings with Impact

• Techniques for structuring and delivering audit results effectively
• Tailoring communication to resonate with business counterparts
• Engaging stakeholders through neuroscience-backed strategies

3. Communicating with Senior Stakeholders and Audit Committees

• Techniques for presenting audit findings to strategic stakeholders
• Engaging senior management with neuroscience-backed methods
• Structuring audit reports and presentations for maximum impact

4. Emotional Intelligence in Audit Communication

• Understanding the role of emotions in decision-making
• Building trust and rapport during audit discussions
• Applying emotional intelligence to defuse conflicts and manage difficult conversations

5. Managing Pushback and Resolving Conflicts in Audits

• Techniques for handling resistance to audit findings
• Neuroscience-based conflict resolution strategies
• Ensuring collaboration even during challenging discussions

6. Customizing Communication for Different Audiences

• Tailoring your communication to different stakeholder types
• Adapting your message to resonate with operational teams, middle management, and executives
• Case studies: How customized communication leads to better audit outcomes

7. Building Trust with Business Units

• Applying emotional intelligence to foster trust
• Using brain research to understand and address emotional triggers
• Creating long-term positive relationships with business counterparts

8. Improving Team Collaboration Through Communication

• Enhancing communication within audit teams for better collaboration
• Techniques for managing interpersonal dynamics within teams
• Aligning team communication strategies with audit objectives

9. Practical Applications and Case Studies for Internal Auditors

• Real-world scenarios where brain-based communication improved audit outcomes
• Hands-on exercises to refine communication strategies with auditees
• Feedback sessions to enhance communication skills in audit environments

Unlocking Audit Excellence through Operation Audit Toolset

Suggested training duration: Two half‑day sessions (total 1 day)

Training Description
In The IIA’s Global Internal Audit Competency Framework, critical thinking is identified as one of the key required personal skills –  an indispensable competence for internal auditors. Critical thinking leads to improved decision-making and better organizational performance. In this comprehensive ARC audit training, we will explore the vital role of critical thinking alongside root cause analysis in driving audit excellence.

Effective critical thinking involves collecting and analysing information, drawing compelling conclusions, and providing recommendations. It is essential for personal and organizational success, enabling auditors to better manage risk and create a sustainable control environment.

This ARC audit training course will demonstrate how critical thinking techniques can be integrated into key elements of the audit process, from risk assessments to reporting, enhancing audit effectiveness and delivering measurable value to stakeholders. 

Learning Objectives:

1.        Understand the fundamental principles of critical thinking and its significance in audit operations.

2.        Develop an understanding of critical thinking principles, tools, and techniques.

3.        Practice applying critical thinking skills in various scenarios encountered during internal audit engagements.

4.        Learn about the purpose, importance, and key terms of critical thinking in the context of internal auditing.

5.        Explore relevant Global Internal Audit Standards and guidelines for embedding critical thinking into audit documentation and reporting. 

Agenda

Introduction to Critical Thinking

• Understanding the importance of critical thinking in internal audit
• Overview of key concepts and principles

The Role of Critical Thinking in Audit Preparation

• Integrating critical thinking into risk assessments and audit planning
• Critical Thinking in the Audit Process

Tools and Techniques for Critical Thinking

• Exploring practical tools and techniques for effective critical thinking
• Hands-on exercises and case studies

Applying practically Critical Thinking in Fieldwork

• Conducting effective process analysis of control designs
• Conducting interviews, testing, and analysis with a critical mindset
• Documenting processes and testing with an emphasis on critical analysis
• Hands-on exercises and case studies
• Presentation of results and common discussion for Best-Practices

Reporting and Communication

• Formulating impactful recommendations
• Embedding critical thinking into audit reports

Implementation and Continuous Improvement

• Leveraging critical thinking to drive organizational change and improvement
• Identifying opportunities for continuous enhancement of audit practices

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Recap of key learnings and takeaways
• Developing a roadmap for implementing critical thinking in audit practice
• Developing a personal action plan for applying critical thinking in audit practice

24th November, 2026 | 09:00 - 12:30 CET

Objective

Most major governance failures are not caused by missing controls, but by how people behave under pressure, incentives, and organizational silence. This seminar introduces Behavioral Risk Analytics as a structured approach for making the human dimension of risk observable, measurable, and auditable. Participants will learn how behavioral drivers, leadership tone, psychological safety, and incentive systems influence decisions and control effectiveness. The seminar explains how Behavioral Risk Indicators can complement traditional Key Risk Indicators by identifying conditions for failure before an incident occurs. It also demonstrates how behavioral analysis can be integrated into audit planning, fieldwork, root cause analysis, and Board reporting. Practical cases and an implementation roadmap help participants transfer the approach to their own organizations.

Agenda

• Why traditional control testing often fails to identify behavioral risk
• Behavioral Risk Analytics, Behavioral Risk Indicators, and maturity models
• Integrating behavioral analysis across the Internal Audit lifecycle
• Lessons from major international corporate failures
• Behavioral Risk Dashboards, AI, and practical implementation

Trainer
Torben Hilbertz is an international Board Member, Chair of several Audit Committees, and an experienced Governance, Risk, Finance, and Internal Audit leader with close to 30 years of international experience across Europe and the Middle East.

He currently serves as a Board Member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of a publicly listed healthcare group, chairs the Audit Committees of two leading FinTech entities, and is an Audit Committee Member of a growing airline.

Previously, Torben held senior Internal Audit leadership positions at SWISS International Air Lines, Abu Dhabi Airports, and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company. He has built and transformed Internal Audit, governance, and risk management functions across aviation, healthcare, financial services, logistics, and international corporate groups.

He began his career with Arthur Andersen and combines extensive Board and executive experience with deep expertise in Corporate Governance, Behavioral Risk Management, data analytics, and the future development of Internal Audit. Torben holds the CIA, CFE, and CC professional certifications.

10th November, 2026 | 09:00 - 12:30 CET

Objective

Internal Audit should not be viewed merely as a cost center, but as a Confidence Center for the Board and the organization. Based on the Global Internal Audit Standards 2024, this seminar explains how Internal Audit strengthens confidence in governance, risk management, decision making, and organizational oversight. Participants will examine how purpose, integrity, professional courage, independence, and strategic alignment create the institutional foundations for reliable assurance. The seminar also demonstrates how disciplined, evidence based audit work turns findings into insight, foresight, and sustainable improvement. Particular attention is given to what Boards and Audit Committees genuinely expect from a modern Internal Audit function. Participants will learn how to articulate and demonstrate the value of Internal Audit as a source of justified organizational confidence.

Agenda

• From Cost Center to Confidence Center
• Purpose, integrity, objectivity, and professional courage
• Independence, mandate, and Board oversight
• Strategic planning and evidence based audit execution
• How Internal Audit creates justified confidence and sustainable impact

Trainer
Torben Hilbertz is an international Board Member, Chair of several Audit Committees, and an experienced Governance, Risk, Finance, and Internal Audit leader with close to 30 years of international experience across Europe and the Middle East.

He currently serves as a Board Member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of a publicly listed healthcare group, chairs the Audit Committees of two leading FinTech entities, and is an Audit Committee Member of a growing airline.

Previously, Torben held senior Internal Audit leadership positions at SWISS International Air Lines, Abu Dhabi Airports, and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company. He has built and transformed Internal Audit, governance, and risk management functions across aviation, healthcare, financial services, logistics, and international corporate groups.

He began his career with Arthur Andersen and combines extensive Board and executive experience with deep expertise in Corporate Governance, Behavioral Risk Management, data analytics, and the future development of Internal Audit. Torben holds the CIA, CFE, and CC professional certifications.

The Agentic Revolution & Human Superpowers in an AI World
Redefining the Internal Audit Operating Model for a Hyper-Volatile Decade
Moving from Manual Execution to Governing Autonomous Audit Ecosystems

The 2027 Audit Challenge Conference Series is your definitive call to action to move beyond being a “Monday-Morning Quarterback” and become a strategic “Navigator” of the future. This is not just a conference; it is a collaborative laboratory for internal audit leaders and professionals to redefine their value proposition through technology-enabled human judgment.
Join us to bridge the gap between legacy thinking and future-state reality, ensuring your audit function delivers foresight and decision intelligence at the speed of business. Don’t wait for the future to be decided for you!
Help lead it.

Save-the-date: Wed. 21st / Thu. 22nd April 2027

The Agentic Revolution & Human Superpowers in an AI World
Redefining the Internal Audit Operating Model for a Hyper-Volatile Decade
Moving from Manual Execution to Governing Autonomous Audit Ecosystems

The 2027 Audit Challenge Conference Series is your definitive call to action to move beyond being a “Monday-Morning Quarterback” and become a strategic “Navigator” of the future. This is not just a conference; it is a collaborative laboratory for internal audit leaders and professionals to redefine their value proposition through technology-enabled human judgment.
Join us to bridge the gap between legacy thinking and future-state reality, ensuring your audit function delivers foresight and decision intelligence at the speed of business. Don’t wait for the future to be decided for you!
Help lead it.

Save-the-date: Wed. 21st / Thu. 22nd April 2027