Power Skills for Auditors

Shift the balance in your mind

Experience immediate and sustained improvements in your

performance
relationships
wellbeing
career
creativity
leadership
parenting
emotional
intelligence

elevate your human skills and shine

Your career success in the workplace of today – independent of technical expertise – depends on the quality of your people skills. – Max Messmer

The future of auditing: Why power skills are non-negotiable?

Forbes’ Top 10 in-demand skills and The World Economic Forum’s essential skills identified the eight critical power skills every professional must cultivate: digital literacy, data literacy, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creativity, collaboration, flexibility, and leadership skills.

The Institute of Internal Auditors concurs—skills like communication, business acumen, and influence are now must-haves for thriving in today’s evolving post Covid era audit landscape.

Today, auditors are expected to be more than just assurance experts—they’re trusted advisors, innovators, and change-makers. To meet these demands, developing power skills is a must.

Take Vikram, an audit manager who faced some tough challenges. He had to present a critical report to Senior Management, highlighting gaps in processes that no one wanted to hear.

Thanks to his power skills, Vikram navigated the situation with empathy and clear communication, building trust with senior leaders.

His ability to listen actively and present insights effectively turned a potentially hostile meeting into a constructive dialogue that led to positive changes.

Now, imagine if Vikram had not evolved. His message might have been dismissed, straining relationships and leaving key risks unaddressed.

Evolving isn’t an option; it’s the key to thriving.
Ready to unlock your potential? Read on!

How power skills are a game-changer for auditors?

Power skills are your game-changer in the world of auditing. They’re what turn a good auditor into a great one, allowing you to dig deeper, communicate more effectively, and build trust with the people you work with.

It’s not just about finding issues; it’s about getting to the root of problems, telling the story behind the numbers, and driving real change that others can rally behind.

With strong critical thinking, empathy, and impactful communication, you become the trusted advisor that leaders look to for insights and solutions. These skills make you more adaptable and effective in any situation.

Whether it’s navigating a tough conversation, cutting through the noise to make key observations, or managing different personalities with ease, power skills give you that edge.

They help you turn your audits into meaningful dialogues, where your insights are not just heard, but acted upon.

Simply put, investing in your human skills transforms how you show up, how you’re received, and the impact you make.

Power skills that make a real differences

1. Critical Thinking, and Root Cause Analysis

Ever felt like you’re just scratching the surface? By honing your critical thinking, you’ll get to the root of issues rather than just dealing with symptoms. This means you’re not just putting out fires; you’re solving problems in a way that drives real change and gets you noticed for your strategic insights.

2. Cognitive Bias and Auditor Skepticism

It’s easy to let your instincts take over, but sometimes they can lead you astray. By being aware of cognitive biases, you can approach situations with a healthy dose of skepticism. This helps you keep an open mind, ask better questions, and see things others might miss, giving your assessments the edge they need.

3. Constructing and Crystallizing Observations

You deal with a mountain of information, but let’s be real—no one has time for endless details. By mastering the art of clear observations, you’ll give people exactly what they need to hear in a way that’s simple, sharp, and to the point. This makes you the go-to source for insights that actually matter.

4. Writing game changing reports

Your report can be a game-changer—or just another document collecting dust. When you write effectively, you turn complex data into stories that grab attention and prompt action. It’s about making your message stick, so your findings lead to real results and positive change.

5. Active Listening and Powerful Questioning

Listening isn’t just nodding your head; it’s about truly getting what others are saying. When you actively listen and ask the right questions, you dig deeper and uncover what’s really going on. It turns your audit into a meaningful conversation rather than a one-sided checklist.

6. Emotional Intelligence for Auditors

You know those situations where tension runs high and everyone’s on edge? This is where emotional intelligence comes into play. By reading the room and handling sensitive situations with empathy, you build trust and open the door to collaboration. People start seeing you as a partner, not a critic.

7. Situational Leadership

No two audits—or people—are the same. Situational leadership means adapting your style depending on who you’re working with and what the situation calls for. It’s your secret weapon for guiding your team effectively and getting results without a one-size-fits-all approach.

8. Conversational Intelligence for Auditors

Not every conversation is easy, especially when you’re highlighting issues. With conversational intelligence, you can turn those tough talks into open, constructive dialogues. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it that builds trust and gets people on board with your findings.

9. Trust Based Relationships

Auditing isn’t just about tfinding the gaps or what went wrong; it’s about building relationships. When people trust you, they’re more willing to share information and work with you to find solutions. Suddenly, you’re not just the “auditor”—you’re a trusted partner driving real change.

10. Mental Fitness for Auditors

Let’s face it, the job can be stressful. Mental fitness helps you stay sharp, focused, and calm under pressure. When you take care of your mental well-being, you’re better equipped to tackle challenges with a positive mindset and make decisions that are both smart and confident.

11. Understanding self and others (using DISC)

Ever wonder why you click with some people and clash with others? Understanding behavioral styles with DISC gives you the insight to tailor your approach, making interactions smoother and more productive. It’s like having a roadmap for building rapport and getting things done, even with the trickiest personalities.

12. Communicate with Impact

You’ve got insights, but do they land with impact? Communicating effectively means turning complex findings into a story that clicks with your audience. It’s about getting people to understand, care, and most importantly, take action based on what you’ve uncovered.

What to expect from the Power Skills Program?

The Power Skills program is designed to help you unlock your full potential as an auditor, raising your awareness, understanding challenges more deeply, and equipping you with the tools to take personalized action.

This isn’t just another training—it’s an interactive journey that will transform how you think, communicate, and lead within your organization.

You’ll experience a series of lively, 4-hour workshops that are packed with relevant case studies, engaging discussions, and stimulating exercises.

You won’t just sit and listen; you’ll dive into hands-on activities, quizzes, and self-assessment tools to better understand where you can grow.

And don’t worry, we won’t leave you hanging! Each workshop is followed by small group discussions, designed to encourage reflection, share insights, and plan out actions that bring your learning to life.

Here’s what you can expect:

Clear Learning Objectives: We start with clear, agreed goals to ensure that every session is focused and relevant to your needs.

Engaging and Interactive Workshops: In-person or virtual 4-hour sessions filled with case studies, vibrant discussions, and practical exercises.

Real-World Relevance: Led by a seasoned internal audit leader who brings empathy, creativity, and a deep understanding of the profession to the table.

Personalized Learning: Quizzes, self-assessment tools, and coaching conversations to help you identify your unique challenges and create action plans.

Follow-Up Group Coaching: Small group discussions are key! They’ll give you the space to reflect, gain extra insights, and build an action plan tailored to your development.

Hands-On Practice: Prework assignments, in-session tasks, and post-session exercises to make sure the concepts stick and become a part of your daily routine.

Building Power Habits: Develop new habits, like journaling and deep work, to support sustained growth and success in your role.

With support from a seasoned internal audit leader, you’ll explore how to make these skills an active part of your daily routine, driving greater impact in your role.

By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with a solid action plan tailored to your goals, a support system to keep you on track, and the confidence to tackle challenges with your enhanced power skills. Ready to level up? Let’s get started!

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou

Ready to get started with "Power Skills for Auditors"?

I’m so excited that you’ve decided to explore if “Power Skills for Auditors” is the right program for you or your team!

I know that every team is different and the needs of your team are unique.

The best way to derive maximum value from the program is to have a discovery call. Book a call now!

It’s also a great chance for us to connect, explore how I can support you or your team, share some of my experiences and answer any questions you may have.

I’m really looking forward to our conversation!