What do you do if your senior stakeholders are difficult to manage?

1 Understand Them

To manage difficult senior stakeholders, start by investing time to understand their motivations, priorities, and pressures. Engage in active listening during your interactions to grasp their concerns fully. Acknowledge their expertise and the value they bring to the table, which can help in building rapport. By demonstrating that you're considerate of their viewpoints, you create a foundation for more effective communication and problem-solving.

2 Build Trust

Building trust with senior stakeholders is paramount. This trust is fostered through consistent, transparent communication and by delivering on promises. Ensure that you keep them informed about project progress and potential issues, and be honest about challenges. Trust is also strengthened when you show respect for their time and input, and when you involve them in decision-making processes where appropriate.

3 Align Interests

Aligning your project's goals with the personal and professional interests of senior stakeholders can turn adversaries into allies. Clearly articulate how the project's outcomes can benefit them or align with their objectives. This alignment helps in garnering their support, as stakeholders are more likely to be cooperative when they see a direct correlation between the project's success and their own success.

5 Leverage Influence

Influence is a powerful tool in stakeholder management. Identify and collaborate with other stakeholders or colleagues who have a positive relationship with the difficult party. Their endorsement can lend credibility to your efforts and help sway opinions. Additionally, use persuasive techniques such as storytelling or framing your arguments around benefits to the organization, which can make your propositions more compelling.

6 Manage Conflicts

When conflicts arise with senior stakeholders, address them promptly and professionally. Avoid being confrontational; instead, seek to understand the root cause of the disagreement. Propose solutions that are mutually beneficial, and be willing to compromise where possible without compromising the project's integrity. Remember that conflict resolution often involves give-and-take, and finding a middle ground can maintain a positive working relationship.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?