When engaging with stakeholders, I try to keep a few key things in mind: 🔹 Am I focusing on something that really matters to them? 🔹 Am I adding real value to the discussion? Most people want to engage if the topic resonates with them and if I bring something meaningful to the table. I think about what they’ll gain from the conversation, not just what I’m trying to communicate. I also remind myself to be mindful how I’m engaging—showing respect for their time, their perspective, and for the business overall. #StakeholderEngagement #AddValue #Respect

Sometimes a draft workup gets stakeholders engaged. Asking for a red pen markup may just be the way to make a communication come to life and spark engagement!

Building relevance and rapport usually helps. Here’s my approach: 1. Identify Their Interests: Frame updates in terms of their goals or concerns to show immediate value. 2. Use Multiple Channels: Reach out via email, meetings, or brief summaries to find their preferred method. 3. Be Concise and Relevant: Provide only essential information, so they see your updates as time-efficient. 4. Set a Clear Agenda: For meetings, clarify objectives upfront to keep them focused and engaged. By aligning communication to their priorities and preferences, you increase the chances of meaningful engagement.

First, you'll need to do a diagnostic study to determine why your efforts are ignored. Is it the macro environment that contributes to a lack of interest? Is there any gap between what you are trying to achieve and what your stakeholders care about? Getting to the root cause is the first step. Then, check whether your channel is the right choice for your message. Using the wrong tool can often impact how and when your stakeholders receive the communication. Is it time-sensitive? Should it be more social vs formal? Who should be the narrator? Only some messages need to come from the CEO. Sometimes, your stakeholder may want to hear from a subject matter expert instead of "management talk".

In this situation, I would engage with each individual stakeholder to understand how the communications can be made effective for them. Do they prefer a quick meeting instead of an email? Can you record a video update as well as your bullet points? Are you emphasizing the right (on their opinion) measures? Do they have an example of a way of communicating that works for them and can they explain what it is that appeals? You will likely need to add more ways of communicating the same information to engage a broad range of stakeholders, reflecting preferences in how information is consumed. But, the extra effort is worth it to have engaged stakeholders!