Managing difficult stakeholder

Good day...

Picture credit: TusitaStudio

As with managing difficult team member, managing difficult stakeholder share similar (or even more) challenge for a project manager. Imagine when you are dealing with your stakeholder (outside of your team member), could be your sponsor, vendor, customer, or other related people, who consistently do everything they can against your project. It is a nightmare, isn't it?

In looking at this challenge, I would like to take you back to long before the project start. As in my experience, it is very important to maintain good relationship with anyone in your organization, or even outside your organization, who might be your future stakeholder. Establishing a strong relationship with your potential stakeholders, will eliminate, or at least, minimize the possibility that they take intentional action against you in your project.

Now, when the project is already commenced, it is never too late to start a mutual relationship with your stakeholders. Things are not always ended in a meeting room. Going for a lunch or out-of-office activities with your stakeholders could strengthen your relationship with them. An informal discussion on their personal hobbies, families, or other specific items of their preference is highly encouraged to build a rapport with your key stakeholders.

What is next, if, after you do all of those they keep demonstrating negative viewpoint to your project? In my experience, what to do next is to deal with them professionally. You might be able to ask their specific area of concern and address it wisely with an open discussion aiming to find a win-win solution. Here you might also want to involve a third party person as a mediator. The best person is a higher level executive who has influence over both of you.

In conclusion, nothing is more than strong personal relationship in resolving any conflict or concerns from your key stakeholders.

Edwin