✴️How do you manage a difficult stakeholder?

 

In our professional life, we face different type of stakeholders. To get our job done, we have to work with the difficult stakeholder and get the job done. In interviews now a days, one of the favorite questions is - 'How do you manage a difficult stakeholder?'
 
 
Let me share the difficult types of stakeholders which I have faced till now:
1. The one who does not have time: They are always busy and don't have time for my questions. In requirement gathering phase, we may have faced these types of stakeholders with who we are supposed to help to finalize the requirements. As they never take time out for you, it becomes difficult to work with them.
2. The one who answers in very short: They prefer to answer in Yes or No. Detailed explanation is very difficult to get out of them. Sometimes the scopes become creepy, and requirement become hidden due to this.
3. The one who works in a different time zone: As we work in geographically different locations, sometimes it becomes difficult to sync with the stakeholder who works in a completely different time zone. The common time of both parties are difficult to find
4. The one who loves micromanagement: They wants every micro level information and always over your shoulder to look what you are doing. Freedom of work style is very scarce here.
 
 Now let me share the top 3 skillset to engage or manage the difficult stakeholders:
 
1. Communication: The most important skillset to engage with any stakeholder. I will prefer the work engage rather than manage as sometimes stakeholder is in so high position, it is not possible for a BA or product manager to manage them. Both verbal and non-verbal communication is important. Preparation of having a communication with stakeholder is also important.
Use communication to gel with the stakeholder. When you are staring a conversation, the way you communication at the beginning, your addressing becomes very important. Show confidence when you are making a communication. Ask very specific question from the stakeholder to get the accurate answers. It also optimizes both party's time.
 
2. Attitude: Your attitude to take responsibility is everything. Impress your stakeholder by the solution you are suggesting, by resolving a difficult issue, driving meetings, leading team to get the job done.
 
3. Knowledge: You need to have a good knowledge on the topic you are working. The solution you are offering to the stakeholder is supposed to generate lot of business value. So your knowledge to define a solution will definitely help you and impress the stakeholder
 
 Note: In our work environment, everyone who is attached to our work is our stakeholder. Here I have kept my scope limited to business stakeholder who makes decision for the business, who come with the problem statement to product managers and looks for a solution.
 
 
What are the other types of difficult stakeholder you have faced and how you have managed the situation?