Last updated on Jul 13, 2024

Here's how you can positively influence senior stakeholders as an intern: best practices.

Landing an internship is a significant achievement, but making a lasting impression on senior stakeholders can seem daunting. As an intern, you're in a unique position to observe and contribute, often bringing fresh perspectives to the table. To positively influence those at the top, you'll need to understand the dynamics of senior stakeholder management, which involves navigating the interests and expectations of those with a vested interest in the organization's success. By mastering certain practices, you can make your mark and potentially open doors for future opportunities.

1 Understand Roles

Understanding the roles and responsibilities of senior stakeholders is crucial for effective engagement. These individuals have a significant impact on decision-making processes and are often key to driving strategic initiatives. By grasping their priorities and challenges, you can tailor your interactions to be more relevant and impactful. Take the initiative to learn about their roles through company resources or by asking insightful questions during meetings, showing that you're invested in contributing to the organization's objectives.

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Ayman H.

Knowledge Transfer Manager, Learning & Development, Training Specialist
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RACI. Build your RACI and you’ll not only understand individuals roles, you’ll also understand the bigger picture of the organisation and its intricate structures (formal and informal). You’ll also have an overview of external relationships and their effects in and on the programme and project.

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2 Active Listening

Active listening is a powerful tool in building rapport with senior stakeholders. It involves paying full attention, understanding, responding, and then remembering what is being said. This skill demonstrates respect and shows that you value their perspectives. By actively listening, you can gain insights into their priorities and concerns, which can guide you in making meaningful contributions during your internship.

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3 Communicate Clearly

Clear communication is essential when interacting with senior stakeholders. As an intern, your ability to articulate ideas succinctly and effectively can set you apart. Ensure that your points are well-structured and your message is easily understood, avoiding jargon or overly complex explanations. This will help establish your credibility and make your interactions with senior stakeholders more productive.

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4 Show Initiative

Showing initiative can significantly influence how senior stakeholders perceive you. Take on tasks proactively and look for opportunities to go beyond your assigned duties. Suggesting innovative solutions or volunteering for challenging projects demonstrates your commitment and can lead to recognition from senior management. However, always balance this eagerness with respect for established processes and protocols.

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Benny Cheung

Research, Analytics, Insights & Product Leader | PhD Behavioural Scientist
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As in any role, the key is to truly understand the objective (the WHY) you're trying to achieve and then ideas of what to do (the WHAT and HOW) would breed. Doing what you're told is good, but using your initiative to do extra/differently to help achieve the objective is great.

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5 Build Relationships

Building relationships with senior stakeholders is about more than just networking; it's about establishing trust and credibility. Interact with them professionally and seek out opportunities for informal interactions, such as company events or casual discussions. By cultivating these relationships, you become more than just an intern; you become a valued member of the team whose opinions are considered and respected.

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6 Seek Feedback

Seeking feedback is an important part of professional development, especially as an intern. Engage with senior stakeholders by asking for their input on your performance and areas for improvement. This not only shows your dedication to personal growth but also opens up a dialogue that can lead to mentorship and deeper engagement with the senior leadership team.

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Benny Cheung

Research, Analytics, Insights & Product Leader | PhD Behavioural Scientist
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Seeking feedback is probably the single most important practice as a junior staff for personal development. We're not talking about fishing for compliment; for the limited time you have with senior managers, spend it on asking how the task could be done differently and their expectation on what a good outcome would look like.

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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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Here's how you can positively influence senior stakeholders as an intern: best practices.

1

2

3

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5

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1 Understand Roles

2 Active Listening

3 Communicate Clearly

4 Show Initiative

5 Build Relationships

6 Seek Feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

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Here's how you can positively influence senior stakeholders as an intern: best practices.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand Roles

2 Active Listening

3 Communicate Clearly

4 Show Initiative

5 Build Relationships

6 Seek Feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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