Engage your stakeholders In your role, you will need to influence not only your team members but other stakeholders as well. The better you know these stakeholders - their roles, responsibilities, pressures, values, and styles - the more successful your influencing efforts will be.

1 ASSUME THAT EVERYONE IS AN ALLY Never write anyone off and don t lose heart, even if an individual appears resistant and uncooperative to begin with.

2 CLARIFY YOUR GOALS AND PRIORITIES Ask yourself why you are trying to influence this person - what you are hoping to gain and what your primary objective is.

3 UNDERSTAND THE STAKEHOLDER S SITUATION Use empathy to understand the stakeholder s responsibilities, pressures, background, values. In short - what really matters to this individual.

4 IDENTIFY WHAT MATTERS TO YOU AND TO THE STAKEHOLDER Identify what will motivate this stakeholder to act and change.

5 REFLECT ON THE RELATIONSHIP Consider the relationship you already have and the level of trust and rapport between the two of you.

6 INFLUENCE THROUGH COMPROMISE Understand the person s values and needs. Be prepared to ask for what you want and offer something in return to make sure you both win.

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