Stakeholder Analysis – what to do about the category of people who fall into the low power and low interest?

There is no doubt about the value of a regular stakeholder analysis and the benefits from managing people assessed within the power/dynamic paradigm (Mendelow, A.L. (1981).

The focus of most assessors is upon those assessed to be in the most powerful and most interested box. They are the people that are more likely to help you gain and retain resources, and their political support can take you a long way; so of course, they need to be managed closely.

Failing to regularly communicate and engage these people in your project or endeavour may cost you dearly.

 Maybe the next priority should be those with power who may be less interested in you. I believe that we should not just look to satisfy these people but make efforts to get them interested, to gain their proactive support.

 People who have low power but who are interested in you should indeed be kept informed as one never knows when and if they may become more powerful and more influential. Reward their interest and motivation at every opportunity.

 That brings us to the bottom left hand box. Is simply monitoring enough?

 I think not.

 It is often too easy just to ignore this group of people; no power, no interest, then why bother?

 I am suggesting that we should take a more pro-active role in engagement with the people in this group. Would this be classified as being 'kind' I wonder? Let’s us assume for a moment that it is.

 From my experience, (Random) acts of kindness (RAK) and generosity in this category brings its own rewards. Call it Kama or the law of attraction.

 The positive impact of RAK is well known, both in the subject and the person giving it. Doing RAK, receiving it or simply observing it in others does produce a hormone called Oxytocin which has some remarkable mental and physical benefits.

 There is considerable research which has demonstrated that people who are altruistic found happiness and joy. We can all feel stronger and more energised after helping others. Engaging in RAK produces Endorphins (a natural pain killer).

 One of the reasons why people volunteer is because of the feel-good factor of doing so. Being kind to another person produces Serotonin which makes you feel good, keeps you calm, heals you and of course makes you happy.

 Bringing good fortune to others therefore brings good fortune to ourselves and those around us.

 Win/win?

 So maybe we need to look at that lower right hand box a little differently from now on?