One of my favourite phrases relating to Stakeholder Management is, “if you don’t have any opposition, you aren't trying hard enough” (refer to Chapter 7 of ). While I am not suggesting that you should go looking for opposition, if you are ambitious, … [Continue reading]
Hate Networking? You Are Not Alone!
Since launching the original research and questionnaire on influencing skills, we have had thousands of people self-assess or rate others on their influencing skills. 74% say they could improve on their networking and an incredible 34% cited it as … [Continue reading]
Engaging Your Critics
In the lexicon of my book, , a Critic is an individual who you have a great relationship with (trust, openness and frequency), but they disagree with what you are seeking to achieve. Because of the strength of your relationship with them, these are … [Continue reading]
Book: Advocates and Enemies: How to Build Practical Strategies to Influence Your Stakeholders
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Building Stronger Relationships
Over the last few years, I have been working with organisations to help them to develop their relationships with suppliers and other strategic partners. Part of this involved us researching the characteristics of highly successful (and the not so … [Continue reading]
The Big Seven Stakeholder Management Mistakes
These are the seven most common mistakes I see people making when it comes to Stakeholder Management. If you can avoid all of these, whatever process you are using, you will enhance your success dramatically. Mistake 1: Not doing it. Often methods … [Continue reading]
What You See Is What You Get vs. Tact
Have you ever been told you need to be more tactful, stop wearing your heart on your sleeve or be a little more careful displaying your emotions? If so, you’re not alone. It needs to be addressed carefully, partly because it is usually perceived as … [Continue reading]
Networking: Missing a Trick?
Networking is a critical aspect of influencing skill. In our workshops, we find all manner of excuses thrown up, but having a vibrant network is vital to success in the long term (and the short term). Yet despite all the noise on the subject, in the … [Continue reading]
Why Is Influencing So Difficult Today?
In my ongoing drive to find more practical ways to help people become more influential, I would like to ask your opinion. Why do you think it is so hard for people to get the influence that they want/need? What is happening in the workplace, the … [Continue reading]
Seek First to Understand
Time and again we meet clients who are stuck. One recently was experiencing the micro-management of a stakeholder who should have had better things to do. This attention to minutiae and constant interference was leaving my client feeling frustrated, … [Continue reading]