What techniques can you use to engage stakeholders with competing interests?

1 Identify your stakeholders

The first step is to identify who your stakeholders are and what they care about. Stakeholders are any individuals or groups who have a stake in your topic, such as clients, sponsors, partners, employees, or beneficiaries. You can use various tools and methods to map out your stakeholders, such as stakeholder analysis matrices, power-interest grids, or stakeholder circles. These tools can help you categorize your stakeholders based on their level of interest, influence, or impact on your topic.

2 Assess their interests

The next step is to assess the interests of your stakeholders and how they align or conflict with each other and with your objectives. Interests are the underlying reasons why stakeholders care about your topic, such as their values, beliefs, goals, or fears. You can use techniques such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, or observation to gather information about your stakeholders' interests. You can also use tools such as SWOT analysis, force field analysis, or conflict mapping to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that affect your stakeholders' interests.

3 Communicate effectively

The third step is to communicate effectively with your stakeholders and build rapport and trust. Communication is the key to engaging your stakeholders and influencing their attitudes and behaviors. You can use techniques such as storytelling, metaphors, analogies, or humor to convey your message in a compelling and relatable way. You can also use techniques such as active listening, empathy, feedback, or questioning to understand your stakeholders' perspectives and concerns. You can also use techniques such as framing, reframing, or bridging to highlight the common ground and the benefits of your topic for your stakeholders.

4 Involve your stakeholders

The fourth step is to involve your stakeholders in your process and decision making. Involvement is the degree to which you consult, collaborate, or delegate with your stakeholders. You can use techniques such as brainstorming, voting, ranking, or consensus building to generate and evaluate ideas with your stakeholders. You can also use techniques such as co-creation, co-design, or co-delivery to create and implement solutions with your stakeholders. Involving your stakeholders can increase their ownership, commitment, and satisfaction with your topic.

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?