Influencing Through Trust and Agreement

In this final segment of our discussion about influence, we're looking at how to communicate effectively, especially during challenging interactions. So, let's delve into some actionable insights.

Trust and agreement are key to any stakeholder relationship. Trust covers how much someone believes you're dependable, open, and credible. Agreement means there's a mutual understanding about the end goal of the project. Between these two, trust is foundational. Once trust is built, agreement often follows.

Imagine your key stakeholders as falling into one of four categories—Allies, Opponents, Adversaries, and Willing Partners. Knowing which category they fall into can guide your interactions.

Firstly, consider Allies—these are the stakeholders who both trust you and agree with your project vision. These individuals aren't just beneficial for your current project, but are also potential collaborators for future endeavors. To keep this relationship strong, communicate openly, respect their input, and share updates regularly.

Now, let's talk about Opponents. These are people who trust you but may not always agree with your ideas. Don't be too quick to consider this a bad thing. Constructive criticism can be invaluable. Opponents can help identify blind spots you might have missed, providing you with a fuller view of the project. Listening to them can only benefit you.

On to the Adversaries—stakeholders who don't trust you and don't agree with your project. They're challenging to work with, but not impossible. Try to establish a basic level of trust and agreement to make them willing partners. Understand that they might have a different vision for the project, but finding common ground can shift them closer to becoming allies.

Lastly, we have Willing Partners. These are stakeholders who agree with your project but might not fully trust you yet. If you sense hesitancy from them, proactively seek one-on-one time to build a stronger relationship. Get them to know you, your team, and the project better, all while keeping their motivations in mind.

One pitfall to avoid is putting too much energy into converting adversaries. Time is often better spent nurturing willing partners into becoming full-fledged allies. Your allies can become strong advocates for your project and can even help persuade others to join your cause.

To make all this actionable, keep an organized document where you track who is responsible for what, along with due dates. Decide the most effective ways to communicate with each group, whether that's email updates or more direct conversations. And don't forget, when your project succeeds, share that success. Publicly thanking your stakeholders doesn't cost a thing and can turn them into ongoing supporters for future projects.

This marks the end of our series on mastering the art of influence. Whether you're dealing with supportive allies or difficult opponents, building trust and clear communication are key. Using these strategies can help make your future projects with stakeholders more successful. I hope you found this series useful and that you can apply some of these insights to your own work!