Learn how to find common ground between research teams and external stakeholders, ensuring project success and collaboration.

Start by identifying the common goals and objectives that unite your research team and external stakeholders. Emphasize the shared vision and mission that drives the project, and use this as a foundation for building consensus and collaboration.

Regularly celebrate the successes and milestones achieved through the collaboration between your research team and external stakeholders. Recognize and reward the contributions of all parties, and use these successes as a basis for building trust, strengthening relationships, and reinforcing the value of working together.

Conflict resolution skills improve team performance by 25% (Source: Harvard Business Review). By actively resolving conflicts, you find common ground and ensure that both your research team and stakeholders are aligned and satisfied. Start by facilitating open discussions where both sides can express their concerns and priorities. For example, organize a meeting to outline each party's expectations and identify overlapping interests. In my experience, using active listening and empathy helps build understanding and trust. One thing I've found helpful is to mediate discussions and propose compromise solutions that address key concerns of both groups. A common mistake is ignoring conflicts in hopes they will resolve themselves.

Last updated on Jul 5, 2024

You're balancing the needs of your research team and external stakeholders. How do you find common ground?

Balancing the needs of your research team with those of external stakeholders can be a challenging task. As a project leader, you're tasked with ensuring that the research objectives align with the interests of those who have a stake in the outcomes. This delicate act requires not only a deep understanding of the research itself but also the ability to navigate the expectations and demands of various parties. Finding common ground is essential to drive the project forward in a way that satisfies all involved. It's about compromise, clear communication, and a strategic approach to problem-solving. Your role is pivotal in bridging gaps and fostering an environment where collaboration thrives and results are achieved.

1 Identify Goals

Identifying the goals of both your research team and external stakeholders is the first step in finding common ground. Understand what success looks like for each party. For researchers, it might be about advancing knowledge in their field or developing new methodologies. External stakeholders, such as funding bodies or industry partners, may prioritize practical applications or return on investment. By clearly defining these goals, you can begin to see where they overlap and where compromises may be necessary. Transparent discussions about priorities will help build trust and set the stage for mutually beneficial outcomes.

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Hamze Salhab

MSF International Mobile Staff | MPH | PGDIP | BSN | Registered Nurse | Emergency Specialist | Patient Safety Specialist
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Start by identifying the common goals and objectives that unite your research team and external stakeholders. Emphasize the shared vision and mission that drives the project, and use this as a foundation for building consensus and collaboration.

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Paulo Roberto Dantas Marangoni

Diretor do Instituto Senai de inovação em Eletroquímica | Diretor do Instituto Senai de inovação em Engenharia de Estruturas| MBA em Planejamento e gestão estratégica
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A gestão do conhecimento é crucial para acessar e utilizar recursos previamente desenvolvidos, acelerando novas demandas. A escuta ativa, essencial para entender os requisitos dos parceiros, junto ao levantamento de regras e diretrizes que definem o ritmo do desenvolvimento, são fundamentais para o sucesso. Identificar metas requer uma leitura acurada do interlocutor, detectando anseios sem perder o foco no objetivo comum. Em um ambiente de negócios de alto impacto tecnológico, essas práticas potencializam a eficiência, garantem alinhamento estratégico e colaboração eficaz, essenciais para resultados inovadores e sustentáveis

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2 Communicate Clearly

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful negotiation. You must ensure that both your team and external stakeholders are on the same page. This means articulating the research process, timelines, and potential outcomes with clarity. Avoid jargon that might confuse non-experts and be prepared to explain technical aspects in layman's terms. Regular updates can keep all parties informed and involved, reducing misunderstandings and fostering a sense of shared progress. Remember, good communication is as much about listening as it is about speaking, so be receptive to feedback and concerns.

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3 Manage Expectations

Managing expectations is crucial in aligning the needs of your research team with those of external stakeholders. It's important to be realistic about what can be achieved within the scope of the project. If stakeholder expectations are too high, gently guide them towards a more feasible outlook by providing evidence-based reasoning. Similarly, if your research team's ambitions exceed practical constraints, help them to prioritize objectives that align with stakeholder interests. Balancing optimism with pragmatism will help to maintain enthusiasm while keeping the project on track.

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4 Foster Collaboration

Fostering collaboration between your research team and external stakeholders can create a synergistic environment where everyone's expertise is valued. Encourage stakeholders to contribute their unique perspectives and possibly participate in certain stages of the research process. This inclusive approach can lead to innovative solutions and a stronger sense of investment from all parties. Collaboration also means being open to compromise; sometimes, the best path forward is one that incorporates elements from different viewpoints.

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5 Resolve Conflicts

Conflict resolution is an inevitable part of managing a research project with diverse interests at play. When disagreements arise, address them promptly and diplomatically. Seek to understand the root cause of the conflict and involve all relevant parties in finding a solution. It's often helpful to reiterate common goals and remind everyone why the research is important. A calm, objective approach can de-escalate tensions and help refocus efforts on achieving shared objectives.

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Valeriana Colón, Ph.D.

Learning Scientist | Future-proofing orgs with IT process innovation
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Conflict resolution skills improve team performance by 25% (Source: Harvard Business Review). By actively resolving conflicts, you find common ground and ensure that both your research team and stakeholders are aligned and satisfied. Start by facilitating open discussions where both sides can express their concerns and priorities. For example, organize a meeting to outline each party's expectations and identify overlapping interests. In my experience, using active listening and empathy helps build understanding and trust. One thing I've found helpful is to mediate discussions and propose compromise solutions that address key concerns of both groups. A common mistake is ignoring conflicts in hopes they will resolve themselves.

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6 Adapt and Evolve

Lastly, be prepared to adapt and evolve your strategies as the project progresses. Research is dynamic, and unexpected challenges can arise that may shift priorities or necessitate a change in direction. Being flexible and responsive to new information will show your team and stakeholders that you're committed to the project's success. Regularly reassessing goals and strategies will keep the project agile and responsive to both internal and external needs.

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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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Livingstone Dziany

Ambassador & Project Manager for GendaBall Project 🇬🇭// Sports & Physical Activity for The SDG’s // Sports & Exercise Medical Sciences// Research Enthusiast // AI Enthusiast // ALX Fellow //
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Finding common ground between your research team and external stakeholders requires effective communication, empathy, and a willingness to compromise. Here are some strategies to help you achieve a balance: 1. Active listening: Understand the needs, concerns, and priorities of both your research team and external stakeholders. 2. Clear communication : Ensure that all parties are informed and aligned with project goals, timelines, and expectations. 3. Identify shared goals: Find areas of commonality and emphasize the benefits of collaboration. 4. Flexibility and adaptability: Be open to adjusting your approach to meet the needs of both parties.

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Hamze Salhab

MSF International Mobile Staff | MPH | PGDIP | BSN | Registered Nurse | Emergency Specialist | Patient Safety Specialist
Report contribution
Regularly celebrate the successes and milestones achieved through the collaboration between your research team and external stakeholders. Recognize and reward the contributions of all parties, and use these successes as a basis for building trust, strengthening relationships, and reinforcing the value of working together.

Like

You're balancing the needs of your research team and external stakeholders. How do you find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify Goals

2 Communicate Clearly

3 Manage Expectations

4 Foster Collaboration

5 Resolve Conflicts

6 Adapt and Evolve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Research

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You're balancing the needs of your research team and external stakeholders. How do you find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify Goals

2 Communicate Clearly

3 Manage Expectations

4 Foster Collaboration

5 Resolve Conflicts

6 Adapt and Evolve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Research

Rate this article

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