How do you positively influence difficult stakeholders?
How do you positively influence difficult stakeholders? If you are a project manager, you know that stakeholder management is one of the most critical and challenging aspects of your role. Stakeholders are the people who have an interest, influence, or impact on your project, and they can be internal or external, supportive or resistant, cooperative or demanding. In this article, you will learn some practical tips and strategies to deal with difficult stakeholders and turn them into allies for your project success.
The first step to influence difficult stakeholders is to understand who they are, what they want, and why they behave the way they do. You can use a stakeholder analysis tool, such as a power-interest matrix, to map out your stakeholders based on their level of interest and influence on your project. This will help you prioritize your communication and engagement efforts, and identify potential risks and opportunities. You should also try to find out their expectations, needs, concerns, motivations, preferences, and personality styles, as these factors can affect their attitude and behavior towards your project.
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Hariom Singh ᴘʜ.ᴅ. ᴘᴍᴘ® ʀᴍᴘ® ᴍʙᴀ
Transformative PMO Leader | Simplifier | Problem Solver | Product Partner | Innovation Driver | Operational & Engineering Excellence | Proudly Serving Associates at People Led Tech Powered Walmart
Establish a positive and respectful relationship with difficult stakeholders to influence them positively. Communicate clearly and frequently, listen actively and empathetically, acknowledge their opinions and feedback, and show appreciation and recognition for their contributions. Understand who they are, what they want, and why they behave the way they do to map out your stakeholders based on their level of interest and influence on your project. Using data to present your findings to stakeholders can help you effectively communicate the benefits of change. Finally, managing project stakeholders is essential for business analysts, as it helps identify, prioritize, communicate, and collaborate with stakeholders. 🤝💬📊
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Bunmi Ashiedu
Project Manager | LinkedIn Top Project Management Voice | Certified PRINCE2 , Agile, Scrum Master and Product Owner | Thought Leader | Speaker
To understand how to positively influence stakeholders, you need to understand the stakeholder -Who is the stakeholder -What level of power/authority/interest do they have over the project. Your approach for influencing a difficult stakeholder that provides funding for your project, will be different from how you manage a difficult third party supplier. - How are they being difficult? A stakeholder who is consistently disruptive at meetings is navigated differently from a stakeholder that is trying to get out of scope deliverables done without approval. However, you will need to engage with all difficult stakeholders, listen and understand their points of view , address their concerns, communicate yours and hopefully gain alignment
The second step to influence difficult stakeholders is to establish a positive and respectful relationship with them. You can do this by communicating clearly and frequently, listening actively and empathetically, acknowledging their opinions and feedback, and showing appreciation and recognition for their contributions. You should also demonstrate your credibility and competence as a project manager, by delivering on your promises, providing accurate and timely information, and solving problems effectively. By building trust and rapport, you can reduce conflict, increase cooperation, and create a common ground for collaboration.
The third step to influence difficult stakeholders is to adapt your communication style to suit their preferences and expectations. You can use a communication style assessment tool, such as the DISC model, to identify your own and your stakeholders' communication styles, based on their dominant traits of dominance, influence, steadiness, or conscientiousness. For example, if you are dealing with a dominant stakeholder, who is assertive, results-oriented, and impatient, you should use a direct, concise, and factual communication style, and focus on the benefits and outcomes of your project. On the other hand, if you are dealing with an influential stakeholder, who is enthusiastic, sociable, and optimistic, you should use a friendly, expressive, and inspirational communication style, and focus on the vision and values of your project.
The fourth step to influence difficult stakeholders is to negotiate and compromise with them, when there are disagreements or conflicts over the project scope, budget, schedule, quality, or risks. You can use a negotiation strategy, such as the win-win approach, to find a mutually beneficial solution that satisfies both parties' interests and needs. You should also use a compromise technique, such as the trade-off method, to offer concessions or alternatives that balance the costs and benefits of your project. By negotiating and compromising, you can avoid escalation, maintain goodwill, and achieve alignment and agreement.
The fifth step to influence difficult stakeholders is to involve and empower them in the project planning, execution, and evaluation. You can do this by soliciting their input and feedback, inviting them to participate in meetings and workshops, delegating them tasks and responsibilities, and giving them autonomy and authority to make decisions. By involving and empowering them, you can increase their ownership and commitment, leverage their skills and expertise, and foster a sense of partnership and teamwork.
The sixth and final step to influence difficult stakeholders is to monitor and evaluate their level of satisfaction, engagement, and performance throughout the project lifecycle. You can do this by using a stakeholder satisfaction survey, a stakeholder engagement plan, and a stakeholder performance dashboard, to measure and track their feedback, involvement, and results. You should also use a stakeholder evaluation tool, such as a stakeholder feedback loop, to review and improve your stakeholder management practices, and identify areas for improvement. By monitoring and evaluating, you can ensure that you are meeting your stakeholders' expectations, addressing their issues and concerns, and delivering value and benefits to them.
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