Take Responsibility for Stakeholder Performance? Anyone brave enough?

If not you, then who?

The success of a project in the engineering and construction industry depends heavily on the engagement of stakeholders. However, leading stakeholders is far different from leading a team of direct reports.

As project managers and engineers, we have no authority over them, so how do we leverage their contribution effectively?

The reality and research is clear, when stakeholders are not effectively engaged, the consequences can be disastrous. The project team can become demotivated, confused, and disorganised.

When those rogue stakeholders do eventually get in touch, their feedback is often out of sync with the plan and with how far the project has progressed, resulting in costly rework, wasted time and effort.

On the other hand, when stakeholder engagement is done well, it can propel the project towards success. When done well, stakeholders will be motivated to invest their time, be more responsive, and open with their needs. In turn, project teams can work through key issues head on, openly and productively. The result is greater mutual respect, a more productive engagement and greater levels of satisfaction, leading to more successful projects.

Leading stakeholders effectively is a learned skill that requires a different approach than leading a team of direct reports. We must step out from behind our organisational status and adopt the purest forms of interpersonal dynamics.

This is where the adventure begins!

Here are a few pointers that will help you on your quest. But first, to be worthy of embarking on this journey, you must first be prepared to take on this great responsibility and be willing to do what is necessary to influence your stakeholders. Go forth, influence, and prosper in your stakeholder relationship, and with it project success will surely follow.

Are you ready? Then here we go. I’ll give you just three keys to set you on your way. I have more if you make it to the other side:

1)???Win Their Attention

You are wasting your time if you expect their attention. If you think they are obliged to participate, think again.?They will only give you as much as they feel is necessary.

It’s no secret that many stakeholders on projects struggle to apply themselves enough to their work. The Project Management Institute’s research revealed that 61% of key stakeholders admitted to this struggle, and it’s easy to understand why. They’re juggling multiple projects, their own job, and all the other tasks they need to do, leaving little time or energy to focus on our project.

Why is your project worthy of their time and effort to them?

2)???Look Beyond the Fa?ade

Another of the studies in the suit of research carried out by the Project Management Institute reveals that 82% of key stakeholders say that they manage change frequently. However, when you ask project managers, only 37% of them say that's right. This startling difference in perspectives is indicative of a deeper story beneath the surface, one that is often overlooked by project managers and engineers.

What this means is that with every stakeholder comes a subterranean network of needs, desires and decisions that bubble up behind the scenes. These hidden motivations have the potential to influence projects suddenly, or dramatically and yet, these remain unseen and unheard.

3)???Invoke Understanding

This one is a very important insight that I gleaned from the Project Management Institute's research once more. 90% of key stakeholders think that they frequently listen. If you are scoffing at this statistic and chattering away under your breath at the ridiculousness of this, then you're probably one of the 46% of project managers that disagree. (My reaction to this was, “only 46%?”).

That's a vast chasm that you must cross, between 90% of key stakeholders thinking that they're listening, but only 46% of us disagreeing with them. This is evidence of a huge disconnect if ever I've heard one.

What does this mean in our projects? This means our key stakeholders are confident that they have got the necessary information, they think they have got the message from project managers and engineers, and they think they understand what they need to effectively participate and contribute to the project you are working on.

They may think they have got the right message, but this statistic begs the question, are they really listening to what we need them to hear and understand?

If you still have the stomach and drive to go further still on this quest, dare I say you have voluntarily taken responsibility for bringing your stakeholders along this journey with you.?By accepting this challenge you are stepping out from the traditional mindsets. Are you willing to acquire and apply the skills and techniques to maximise these opportunities for success on your projects?

Then join me this week in a live LinkedIn event. I will also share what you can do next, and where you can go if you want more help.

Follow this link to attend and I’ll see you there.

https://www.dhirubhai.net/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:7036282710142713856/

Meanwhile, I know you want to comment! So go ahead.

Through conversation let’s enable our profession and industry to release its brakes.