Last updated on Jun 28, 2024

You're struggling to get senior stakeholders on board with your initiatives. How can you win their support?

Getting senior stakeholders to support your initiatives can often feel like an uphill battle. It's not just about presenting facts and figures; it's about understanding their priorities, aligning your goals with the company's strategic vision, and communicating effectively. You need to speak their language, anticipate their concerns, and be prepared to show how your initiative will benefit the organization, not just your department or team. Winning their support is crucial, as these individuals often hold the keys to the resources, approvals, and influence necessary to turn your ideas into reality.

1 Understand Needs

To win over senior stakeholders, you must first grasp what drives them. They are typically concerned with the big picture—how initiatives will impact the company's bottom line, reputation, and long-term strategy. Your job is to connect the dots between your proposal and these overarching goals. Show them how your initiative aligns with their interests and addresses their concerns. Speak their language by focusing on return on investment (ROI), risk management, and strategic alignment. By demonstrating that you understand their needs, you can build a foundation of trust and open the door to further discussions.

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Johann Strobl

15+ years pharmaceutical logistics | 3PL and distribution solution designer | Experienced General Manager + Multi-disciplinary Director | VALUE CREATING LEADER 🌱🔗 | Your next Executive.
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Winning the support of senior stakeholders for your initiatives involves a strategic approach: Understand Their Priorities: Identify what matters most to them and align your initiatives with these goals. Communicate Benefits: Clearly articulate the advantages of your initiatives for the organization and stakeholders. Build Relationships: Foster strong, trust-based relationships through regular and meaningful interactions. Seek Their Input: Involve them early in the planning process and incorporate their feedback. Demonstrate Quick Wins: Showcase early successes to build credibility and momentum. Maintain Transparency: Keep them informed about progress, challenges, and adjustments.

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2 Craft Messaging

Effective communication is key to persuading senior stakeholders. Your messaging should be clear, concise, and tailored to the audience. Avoid jargon and overly technical terms unless they are familiar with them. Instead, focus on the benefits of your initiative in terms that resonate with their priorities. Use compelling narratives to illustrate potential outcomes and make sure to address any potential objections upfront. By crafting a message that appeals to their values and concerns, you increase your chances of gaining their support.

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Ângelo Vieira Jr.

DT Expertise | Marketing | Branding | Omnichannel | Digital Trade Mkt | Growth | Innovation | CX | Ecommerce | Marketplace | Business
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Don't wait to call key parties only when approving or validating something, this is part of an old management model. Invite co-construction from the beginning and engage from that moment on. You will most likely already have the key pieces with you and everything can become easier.

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3 Engage Early

Engaging stakeholders early in the process can significantly increase your chances of success. By involving them from the outset, you give them a sense of ownership and allow them to shape the initiative to better fit their vision. Early engagement also helps you gather valuable insights into their goals and concerns, which you can then address in your proposal. Regular updates and check-ins keep them in the loop and demonstrate your commitment to transparency and collaboration.

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4 Show Benefits

Senior stakeholders need to see a clear link between your initiative and tangible benefits for the organization. Quantify the advantages whenever possible, whether it's cost savings, increased efficiency, or revenue growth. If direct quantification isn't possible, use case studies or analogies to make the benefits more relatable. Remember, they are more likely to support projects that have a demonstrable impact on the organization's success.

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5 Address Risks

One of the quickest ways to lose stakeholder support is by ignoring potential risks. Be upfront about challenges and have a solid plan for mitigating them. This shows that you are realistic and have thought through all aspects of the initiative. Risk management is a critical concern for senior stakeholders, so demonstrating that you've considered the 'what-ifs' can go a long way in securing their backing.

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6 Foster Relationships

Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders is essential for long-term success. Take time to understand their personal and professional goals, preferences, and working styles. Being responsive to their needs and consistently delivering on promises builds credibility. Strong relationships are based on mutual respect and trust, so always maintain a professional demeanor and be honest about what you can deliver. By cultivating these relationships, you create allies who will be more inclined to support your current and future initiatives.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You're struggling to get senior stakeholders on board with your initiatives. How can you win their support?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Understand Needs

2 Craft Messaging

3 Engage Early

4 Show Benefits

5 Address Risks

6 Foster Relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

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You're struggling to get senior stakeholders on board with your initiatives. How can you win their support?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand Needs

2 Craft Messaging

3 Engage Early

4 Show Benefits

5 Address Risks

6 Foster Relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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