A friend of ours called us yesterday. He was frustrated and losing patience on a project he’s working on. Project plans have been in place for a while and major project steps have launched over the course of the summer months. However, his team is gearing up for the most important project phase and they are experiencing a major issue: resistance from a key stakeholder. Let’s name the stakeholder Sandy.
As a result of Sandy’s negativity, our friend’s whole team has lost momentum and the project could be in jeopardy. What to do? Take it back to basics.
Although emails, project documents and other project collateral are being circulated, Sandy clearly isn’t getting the message as to why the project is so important for the business. Or maybe Sandy is tired. Perhaps she is doubting the vision for the project.
Something clearly is bothering Sandy and no amount of additional collateral will help unless first our friend gets to the bottom of what’s driving her negativity, her resistance, her overall attitude towards the project.
We suggested to our friend that he sit down with Sandy and have a candid and frank conversation. Offside. One-on-one. Away from everyone. Asking her the following:
1) What are your expectations for this project?
2) How can I better help you prepare for the launch?
3) How do you feel this project will help you? Your team? The business?
4) Where are some areas for opportunity in your perspective?
Simple and basic (face-to-face) communications is powerful. A 15-minute conversation just might be what this project, and our friend, needs. Communication, to overcome resistance, needs to be personal. It needs to stay objective and demonstrate simple solutions that are mutually beneficial.
The post Back to basics appeared first on Elena P. Iacono.