Managing senior stakeholders in a fast-paced environment can be challenging, but also rewarding. Senior stakeholders are often busy, influential, and have high expectations. They can make or break your project, so you need to keep them engaged and informed throughout the process. Here are some tips on how to do that effectively.
The first step is to identify who your senior stakeholders are, what their roles and interests are, and how they prefer to communicate. You can use a stakeholder analysis matrix to map out their power, influence, and attitude towards your project. This will help you tailor your messages and strategies to each stakeholder group. You should also establish a rapport with them and understand their goals, challenges, and pain points.
To be true when you're working in a fast-paced environment, the first impression is a game changer. so to sum up always always always go well prepared for the kick-off meeting with the stakeholders, Do R$D of their website, understand the flow of data, the source of data, and the domain knowledge, and do a good study about their business model because in fast-paced environment no one is their to feed you with basic information, you yourself has to brush up your skills.
In my experience, always do what you say you will do; be accountable; communicate intentionally and clearly. Build a strong foundation of integrity with them, keep them involved and in the loop, and your stakeholders will thank you for it.
Remember they are also human beings, with personal lives and interests. Doing all the formal mapping and research is key but, at the end of the day, knowing they have children or recently went on holiday somewhere you've been can be a good way to connect on a personal level and forge a relationship, which carries power and often gives you cut-through when you need to communicate.
The second step is to communicate clearly and regularly with your senior stakeholders. You should have a communication plan that outlines the frequency, format, and content of your updates. You should also use different channels and methods to suit different preferences and situations. For example, you can use email, phone, video call, or face-to-face meeting depending on the urgency, complexity, and sensitivity of the information. You should also use visual aids, such as dashboards, charts, or graphs, to make your data and progress easy to understand.
“Regularly” is the highlight. Fast-paced environment sometimes make them forget or not to prioritize another things outside revenue and margin. As an HR person, our responsibility is to be present and to make sure that “people” aspect plays vital role to make business run well. Be clear about our agenda and the alignment with business. Involve them as frequent as possible in the agenda. Always put them as “consulted” when we build RACI, so they have visibility.
The third step is to manage expectations and risks with your senior stakeholders. You should set realistic and measurable objectives and milestones for your project and communicate them clearly to your stakeholders. You should also monitor and report on the progress and performance of your project and flag any issues or deviations as soon as possible. You should also anticipate and mitigate any potential risks or challenges that might affect your project and involve your stakeholders in the decision-making process.
The fourth step is to solicit feedback and input from your senior stakeholders. You should treat them as partners and collaborators, not just as sponsors or clients. You should ask for their opinions, suggestions, and insights on your project and incorporate them into your plans and actions. You should also acknowledge and appreciate their contributions and show them how their feedback has made a difference. You should also seek their support and endorsement for your project and leverage their influence and networks.
Building on the Milestones step, don't forget to ask your stakeholders for their input on your objectives and milestones. Not only will this ensure you are making them relevant to people whose buy-in you need, they will likely FEEL more bought-in because they have been part of the design process. Design your questions and requests for feedback well, to be concise, easy to answer, and let them know 'This will take five minutes and xx will happen as a result.' Senior stakeholders are busy and results-driven and they will appreciate both those things.
Keeping senior stakeholders engaged in a fast-paced world requires a shift in perspective. Treat them as partners, not just sponsors. Actively seek their input and demonstrate active listening. Incorporate their feedback to show value and build trust. Acknowledge and appreciate their contributions, highlighting how their input made a difference. Seek their support and leverage their influence to open doors to resources and opportunities. Maintain transparent communication, regularly updating them on progress, challenges, and key decisions. Tailor communication to their preferences for format and detail. This collaborative approach fosters trust, leverages expertise, and positions your project for success in a dynamic environmen
The fifth step is to demonstrate value and impact to your senior stakeholders. You should show them how your project aligns with their strategic goals and priorities and how it delivers benefits and outcomes that matter to them. You should also use metrics and indicators to measure and quantify the value and impact of your project and share the results and achievements with your stakeholders. You should also celebrate the successes and milestones of your project and recognize the efforts and contributions of your team and stakeholders.
The sixth and final step is to build trust and relationships with your senior stakeholders. You should be honest, transparent, and respectful with them and deliver on your promises and commitments. You should also show empathy, curiosity, and interest in them and their perspectives and values. You should also look for opportunities to connect with them on a personal level and find common ground and interests. You should also express gratitude and appreciation for their support and involvement and maintain contact and communication after the project is completed.
Asking support when we start, expressing gratitude by saying “thank you” when we finish, consider their feedback as our improvement. When they have more time, don’t hesitate to sit down together for casual conversation, while updating our plan. Always update the progress, even before they ask. Be honest with the challenges along the way, and try to provide our solutions, before we ask their advice.