How can you gain the trust of a senior stakeholder who prefers face-to-face interactions over emails?

To gain the trust of a senior stakeholder who prefers face-to-face interactions: 1. **Initiate Personal Meetings:** Schedule regular face-to-face meetings to discuss updates and build rapport. 2. **Active Listening:** Show attentiveness and respect during conversations to understand their perspectives. 3. **Clear Communication:** Provide concise and clear updates in person to demonstrate transparency and reliability. 4. **Follow-Up in Writing:** Summarize discussions and decisions via email to ensure alignment and documentation. 5. **Proactive Engagement:** Anticipate their needs and offer solutions during meetings to showcase initiative and competence.

- Show genuine interest in their perspective, ask thoughtful questions, and provide clear and concise responses. - Come to meetings well-prepared with relevant information, data, and potential solutions to demonstrate your competence and commitment. -After face-to-face interactions, send a concise email summarizing key points, action items, and next steps to ensure alignment and reinforce your commitment.

Firstly, for a senior stakeholder to prefer face-to-face interactions over email is an added advantage to fostering relationship. Granted relationship building takes time, beyond the expectant professionalism, active listening, body language and situational awareness are vital in gaining trust. Be mindful that trust takes patience, genuine dedication and diligence. From a sales perspective, this senior stakeholder meeting may have taken many steps to arrange, recognise the extended stakeholders matrix at large, apply cultural, language cues, refine your team cohesion and how to effectively support this senior stakeholder in alignment to your focuses. Lastly, sound character speaks volumes.

Sorry is this a trick question?? You have a face to face based on mutual agreement of when and how long!! Keep it simple..stop making things more complicated than they need to be!

I approach in a thoughtful way while i prepare to build trust with senior stakeholders. During these regular face-to-face meetings i discuss updates, insights and decisions in a authentic way. I would be fully present during these discussions and share my thoughts openly and at the same time seek their advise and opinions on key matters. Later i will ensure that i follow through on any promises made during these meetings.

Transparency builds trust. During face-to-face meetings, openly discuss project challenges and uncertainties. This approach keeps stakeholders involved and informed. When setbacks occur, present them with potential solutions. This honesty demonstrates problem-solving skills, enhancing their perception of your reliability and solidifying their trust in your capabilities.

Tailoring interactions to the stakeholder's interests and communication style enhances trust. Acknowledge their feedback from past meetings and integrate it into your plans. Personalizing your approach shows you value their input and are attentive to their unique perspective. This attentiveness is crucial in strengthening your professional relationship and fostering a deeper sense of trust.

Building rapport extends beyond professional boundaries; it involves personal connections. Engage in small talk before discussing business to create a relaxed atmosphere. Share relevant personal experiences or insights that align with the stakeholder's interests. This approach fosters a stronger, more trusting relationship, making your interactions more effective and meaningful.

This is key to create clarity, set expectations and follow up on commitments Ideally to be shared within 24 hs of having the meeting. Include descriptions, owners and due dates

After each in-person meeting, follow up with a concise summary of discussions, action items, and decisions. Although face-to-face interactions are preferred, a follow-up email ensures a written record of outcomes. This practice aids accountability and demonstrates your thoroughness and commitment to clear communication, thereby enhancing trust and reliability in your professional relationship.

I say - why not? If they prefer face-to-face interaction I'll happily go along with it, establish relationship, build trust and get to the point where the common grounds are stable enough to move to phone calls, emails and even text messages.

It's in your interest to have F2F meetings with stakeholders (ideally online). You will be remembered, prioritised, understood better and respected overall. Hiding behind emails may not work for older generations (80's kids and before) or those who prefer the personal touch. After a few F2F online meetings, most likely engagement can continue via email or other messaging system. An occasional 15min Zoom / Teams 1-3 months (depending on seniority of Stakeholder is in project lead's interest. I can't stress the importance of personal communication for phone or online meeting in progressing things or getting unstuck sooner. The benefits far, far, far outweigh over relying on email / messaging apps. Be effective, not just efficient.