As a project management professional, stakeholder management is one of the largest aspects of our daily lift. As stakeholders ourselves, how it makes us feel when we’re managed can be the richest resource in what to do and what to say when we treat people. 

Much of project management training glazes over humanity but being human is something we cannot change. PM’s that attempt to sever their humanity in the workplace are the ones who experience the most stress and have the poorest working relationships with stakeholders.



But how do we do it without feeling too vulnerable or compromising professionalism? Much like the science of today that continues to inform our black and white beliefs into seeing more gray, showing compassion, authenticity and openness at work is not didactic. Done well, it must be organic to acknowledge and give space to each individual's uniqueness.

If it sounds like a lot of work, it is and when I am building a stakeholder register, I need to capture idiosyncratic data I have specific to my stakeholder so that I can use it to deliver value to them. It’s not data for data’s sake, it’s data for leverage because when the ‘chips are down’ in the project, the genuine connection I’ve built with my stakeholders can save the darkest of days. 

Contrary to popular belief, there is no need to get personal in order to do this well. Stakeholder data can be gleaned by just listening to what they say and observing how they react in certain situations. Taking note of the words they use frequently can inform you and your project team about what they value and when they feel heard, they will trust you. When you and your team feel heard by your stakeholders, you will work better so the need for this reciprocal human connection is essential.

Don’t believe me? Feel free to tell your stakeholders what to do, how to feel and what to value and let me know how it goes. As I know that tactic wouldn’t work with you, I think you’ll find it won’t work for them either. People don’t like to be managed, they like to be empowered and enfolded into opportunity. We are all unique (stakeholders included) and that uniqueness can be ignored to create risks that will shatter every project plan you ever create OR leveraged to create authentic, organic project teamwork. 

I’m team human, what team are you?

a.k.a. The Feisty PM