How to?Manage?Stakeholders: 5?Big Don'ts

In my previous post, How to Manage Stakeholders: 5 Must Do's, we talked about the proactive steps you can take to improve your relationships with the people you do business with every day.   

Now let's shift the focus to some of the things you should absolutely not do when interacting with stakeholders. 

1. Don't blindly follow others.Never do what people tell you to do without understanding why. Regardless of their credibility or knowledge, it’s only when you truly grasp a concept that you are able to make sound decisions. 
2. Don't complain for no reason.Complaining about the issue doesn’t make it disappear. Complaining about people doesn’t help them improve. Try coming up with positive solutions rather than stating negative facts. It’s a shortcut to improved efficiency.
3. Don't doit all yourself. Are you sometimes guilty of assuming you’re the only one who ‘gets it’? Well you’re probably wrong. You need to delegate important tasks to your co-workers and trust them to do a good job (that’s trust, not micromanage). It’s impossible to handle every task yourself, and nobody will think you’re a hero for trying.  
4. Don't try to fix people’s problems.There’s a big difference between offering advice and taking control. In fact trying to fix someone else’s problem can actually make it worse. Work together, provide support and give feedback. In other words, help them find a fix, but let them fix it on their own.  
5. Don't forget what you stand for.Things get complicated, boundaries shift, plans evolve. But never let all the uncertainty change who you are. Stay authentic and let your performance speak for itself. 

If you need a helping hand, get in touch with APD Research & Insights: [email protected]