How can you manage a resistant stakeholder?
Managing a resistant stakeholder can be a challenging task for any project manager or leader. A resistant stakeholder is someone who does not support, agree with, or cooperate with the project goals, scope, or approach. They may have different interests, expectations, or preferences than the project team or other stakeholders. They may also express their resistance in various ways, such as withholding information, delaying decisions, criticizing the project, or escalating issues. How can you deal with such a stakeholder effectively and constructively? Here are some tips to help you manage a resistant stakeholder.
The first step to manage a resistant stakeholder is to understand why they are resisting the project. What are their motivations, concerns, or fears? What are their assumptions, beliefs, or values? What are their needs, wants, or goals? You can use various techniques to identify the source of resistance, such as asking open-ended questions, listening actively, observing their behavior, or reviewing their feedback. By identifying the source of resistance, you can tailor your communication and engagement strategies accordingly.
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You manage a resistant senior stakeholder like any other resistant stakeholder. Talk to them and convey the reasons why they should become less resistant and more supportive. Tell them of the benefits for them (what's in it for me) and the benefits for the organisation. Then understand what their underlying reasons are for their resistance (personal or business), what would make them become supportive? Subsequently, you analyse the answers you get to see where the biggest gaps are and work on those gaps with specific answers and data to present to the stakeholder at your next meeting. You also need to impress upon them of the need for their support because their continued resistance may become a risk to the project.
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Stakeholder buy-in must occur during the project inception and value proposition phase to minimize stakeholder resistance during the implementation and adaption phases. Utilize all alloted time to build relationships with key stakeholders to understand their agenda and personal wins. When you start managing resistant stakeholders in the adaption stage then you are already too late.
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Managing a resistant stakeholder can be challenging, but it's an important skill for project managers, leaders, and anyone involved in working with stakeholders. Here are some steps and strategies to help you manage a resistant stakeholder effectively, Start by trying to understand why the stakeholder is resistant. What are their concerns, fears, or objections? Listen actively to their point of view without interrupting or judging.
The second step to manage a resistant stakeholder is to build rapport and trust with them. Rapport is the degree of harmony and mutual understanding between two or more parties. Trust is the confidence and reliance that one party has in another. Building rapport and trust can help you reduce the tension and hostility that may exist between you and the resistant stakeholder. You can build rapport and trust by showing respect, empathy, and sincerity, by acknowledging their perspective and expertise, by finding common ground and shared interests, and by delivering on your promises and expectations.
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Show empathy towards their concerns and acknowledge their feelings. Building a positive relationship can make it easier to work through resistance, Clearly communicate your goals, objectives, and the reasons behind your decisions. Transparency can help reduce resistance when stakeholders feel informed and involved.
The third step to manage a resistant stakeholder is to address the resistance directly and constructively. Ignoring or avoiding the resistance may only worsen the situation and lead to more conflicts and issues. Addressing the resistance directly means having a candid and respectful conversation with the resistant stakeholder, where you express your concerns, expectations, and objectives, and invite them to share theirs. You can use various techniques to address the resistance directly, such as providing facts and evidence, explaining the benefits and risks, offering alternatives and options, or seeking feedback and input.
The fourth step to manage a resistant stakeholder is to involve them in the project as much as possible and appropriate. Involving them in the project means giving them a sense of ownership, participation, and influence over the project outcomes and processes. Involving them in the project can help you reduce their resistance and increase their commitment and support. You can involve them in the project by assigning them roles and responsibilities, by inviting them to meetings and workshops, by soliciting their ideas and suggestions, or by recognizing their contributions and achievements.
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Dealing with resistant stakeholders can be frustrating, but it's essential to remain calm and patient throughout the process. Emotional reactions can escalate conflicts, If all else fails and the resistance is hindering the project or organization's goals, you may need to escalate the issue to higher management or seek alternative solutions
The fifth step to manage a resistant stakeholder is to negotiate and compromise with them when necessary and possible. Negotiating and compromising means finding a mutually acceptable solution that meets the needs and interests of both parties, while maintaining the project scope, quality, and schedule. Negotiating and compromising can help you resolve conflicts and issues, and create a win-win situation. You can negotiate and compromise with them by clarifying the issues and positions, by exploring the options and alternatives, by evaluating the pros and cons, or by agreeing on the criteria and actions.
The sixth step to manage a resistant stakeholder is to monitor and follow up with them regularly and consistently. Monitoring and following up means checking on their progress, performance, and satisfaction, and providing them with feedback, support, and guidance. Monitoring and following up can help you ensure that they are on board, engaged, and cooperative, and that they are not reverting to their previous resistance. You can monitor and follow up with them by communicating frequently and clearly, by reporting on the project status and results, by addressing any issues or concerns, or by celebrating any successes or milestones.
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