Last updated on Mar 27, 2024

What do you do if your assertiveness is hindering stakeholder management in a strategy role?

Assertiveness is a valuable trait in strategic roles, allowing you to clearly communicate your vision and stand firm on important decisions. However, when assertiveness crosses into aggressiveness, it can create friction with stakeholders, who are essential partners in any strategic initiative. If you find your assertiveness is becoming a barrier, it's crucial to recalibrate your approach to maintain productive relationships and ensure successful outcomes.

1 Reflect First

Before adjusting your behavior, take time to reflect on your interactions with stakeholders. Consider the feedback you've received and analyze situations where your assertiveness may have been perceived negatively. It's important to understand the difference between being assertive and being aggressive. Assertiveness respects both your own rights and those of others, while aggressiveness can disregard the latter. By reflecting on your communication style and its effects, you can identify specific areas for improvement.

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Rahi Tajzadeh

Strategy Consultant
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Start by asking your colleagues to anonymously give feedback re your assertiveness, their response to it, their expectations of what level your assertiveness should be, and whether it is hindering their performance or morale. Then, if they respond honestly, you can do a self assessment or have an expert take on that role for you

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Ca R.
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Assertiveness in stakeholder management? 1. Identify your negotiating ethics: - Is it Win-Lose (win at all cost approach) - Is it a Win-Win (This unspoken 'negotiation ethics' will determine is consensus is even possible among the stakeholders) 2. Understand & Differentiate between Needs & Wants: - Needs are usually pain points - Wants are desires 3. Solve the Needs & Wants - Needs are like a painkiller - Wants are like a vitamin Always try to address the Needs of the stakeholders. Always try to identify the underlying Interest behind each Position of each stakeholder. This could solve a lot of problems.

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Falguni Desai

Managing Director, Corporate Finance, Strategy & Growth
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One thing to understand about a strategy role is that it is all about influence. Strategy roles do not manage other functions. Strategy team are typically small and have the role of influencing the C-suite. This needs to be well understood if you take on a strategy role.

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Shoaib S.

Customer Success & Experience | Team strategy | Passionate about Redefining Support Experiences | Crypto ₿ | I specialize in elevating support teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences
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IMO, Try dialing it back a bit. Listen more, speak less, and focus on understanding their needs and concerns. Build rapport and trust by being approachable and open-minded. Sometimes, a softer approach can lead to better outcomes in managing stakeholders.

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2 Seek Feedback

Engage with your stakeholders and ask for honest feedback about your communication style. This shows that you value their perspective and are committed to working effectively together. Be open to criticism and ask specific questions to gain actionable insights. For example, inquire about times when your approach may have hindered collaboration or caused misunderstandings. This feedback can provide a roadmap for adjusting your assertiveness to better align with stakeholder expectations.

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3 Empathize More

Empathy is key in stakeholder management. Try to understand stakeholders' perspectives and concerns genuinely. This doesn't mean you should compromise your strategic vision, but rather integrate their insights into your approach. Empathy can help you tailor your assertiveness so that it is firm yet considerate, ensuring stakeholders feel heard and respected, which in turn can lead to more collaborative and positive working relationships.

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4 Adjust Communication

Based on reflection and feedback, adjust your communication style. If you've been too forceful, practice being more collaborative in discussions. Instead of dictating solutions, encourage dialogue and joint problem-solving. Use language that is inclusive and invites participation. For instance, replace "I need this done" with "How can we achieve this together?" This subtle shift can make a significant difference in how your assertiveness is perceived by stakeholders.

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5 Build Relationships

Strengthening relationships with stakeholders can mitigate the negative effects of assertiveness. Spend time getting to know them beyond work-related conversations. This rapport-building can create a buffer for when you need to be assertive, as stakeholders are more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt if they know you and understand your intentions. Strong relationships are foundational to successful stakeholder management and can help balance assertive leadership with collaborative teamwork.

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Falguni Desai

Managing Director, Corporate Finance, Strategy & Growth
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To succeed in a corporate strategy role you need to build your brand and relationships. Try these 3 things: 1. Publish and speak in your industry - become a known expert about the trends in your particular industry 2. Reach out to other functions and build a healthy relationship. Ask questions. Get to know what problems people are trying to solve. How do those problems align with your corporate strategy initiatives. 3. Become better at communicating. Make sure you can communicate in short and impactful ways. Know how to get your point across. Exercise EQ in communications

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6 Continuous Improvement

Finally, see this as an ongoing process. Continuously seek to improve your stakeholder management skills by staying open to learning and adapting. The business environment is dynamic, and so are relationships. What works today might not work tomorrow, so be prepared to reassess and refine your approach regularly. By committing to continuous improvement, you ensure that your assertiveness remains an asset rather than a hindrance in your strategic role.

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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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What do you do if your assertiveness is hindering stakeholder management in a strategy role?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reflect First

2 Seek Feedback

3 Empathize More

4 Adjust Communication

5 Build Relationships

6 Continuous Improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Strategy

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What do you do if your assertiveness is hindering stakeholder management in a strategy role?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reflect First

2 Seek Feedback

3 Empathize More

4 Adjust Communication

5 Build Relationships

6 Continuous Improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Strategy

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