How to deal with skeptical stakeholders

Posted by on May 6, 2022 in PMChat Bloggers, Uncategorized | Comments Off

When I coach or train a group of project managers, one of the biggest concerns they bring up is how to deal with opponents ; i.e. senior stakeholders and clients who have a lot of power and influence over the project but who are not supportive. Or at least they come across as not being supportive.  Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net These stakeholders can be unpleasant to deal with because they make us feel insecure and in doubt about the direction of the project and the things we are doing. Most project managers only interface with them when they have to, but will otherwise avoid them. Why ask for unnecessary trouble? But of course we should be doing the exact opposite! We should be  walking into the lion’s cage,  so to speak, and address the stakeholders instead of avoiding the situation.   Understand the root of their skepticism When you look at your opponents, consider how they are acting towards you.

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How to deal with skeptical stakeholders