How To Manage Stakeholders

As a Programme or Project Manager, you will often find yourself in a position where you need to manage senior stakeholders. This can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, you can successfully navigate these relationships and achieve your goals. 

Here are a few tips for managing senior stakeholders:

Build relationships: Take the time to build strong relationships with your senior stakeholders. Get to know them on a personal level and understand their motivations and priorities. This will help you tailor your communication and approach to better align with their needs and interests. 

Communicate effectively: When communicating with senior stakeholders, be clear, concise, and direct. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to them. Focus on the key points and be prepared to answer any questions they may have. 

Manage expectations: Be realistic about what you can and cannot deliver. Set clear expectations and timelines for your projects and be transparent about any challenges or roadblocks that arise. Be clear with your stakeholders about what you need from them. Keep them informed throughout the process to avoid surprises. 

Focus on outcomes: When working with senior stakeholders, focus on outcomes rather than outputs or process. Senior leaders are often more concerned with results than the specific steps you took to get there. Be prepared to highlight the impact of your work and how it aligns with broader organisational goals. 

Build a coalition of support: Identify other stakeholders who can support your efforts and help you influence and manage senior stakeholders. This may include colleagues, partners, or outside consultants. Build a coalition of support and work together to achieve your goals. 

Managing senior stakeholders can be challenging, but by following these tips, you can build strong relationships and achieve your objectives. Remember to be patient, persistent, transparent and focused on delivering results.