Learn to resolve conflicts between senior stakeholders with effective strategies for finding common ground and implementing decisions.

1:1 Meetings: Understand each stakeholder's perspective & goals. Common Ground: Find areas of agreement to build trust. Joint Discussion: Facilitate respectful exchange with a focus on outcomes, not positions. Brainstorm Solutions: Encourage exploration of compromises. Data & Evidence: Present facts objectively to guide the discussion. Remember: Your role is to facilitate a productive dialogue, not force a specific solution.

Last updated on Jul 22, 2024

Two senior stakeholders are at odds over a crucial decision. How can you help them find common ground?

When two senior stakeholders disagree on a pivotal issue, the situation can become a major roadblock for any project or organization. It's a scenario that requires careful navigation. As a professional experienced in senior stakeholder management, you are uniquely positioned to help resolve such conflicts. Your role is not to choose sides but to facilitate a dialogue that uncovers common ground and leads to a mutually beneficial decision. In doing so, you'll need to employ a blend of strategic communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

1 Listen First

Active listening is the cornerstone of conflict resolution. When stakeholders are at odds, your first move is to understand each party's perspective thoroughly. This involves more than just hearing their words; it means comprehending the underlying motivations and concerns driving their positions. By demonstrating that you value their viewpoints and acknowledging the legitimacy of their feelings, you create an environment where each stakeholder feels heard and respected, which is essential for moving towards a resolution.

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Sindhu Madhavan

Actively recruiting for a Diverse & Inclusive Talent @ Hill International "Its just not about hiring it is about creating success stories"I am a UAE Golden Visa Holder
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1:1 Meetings: Understand each stakeholder's perspective & goals. Common Ground: Find areas of agreement to build trust. Joint Discussion: Facilitate respectful exchange with a focus on outcomes, not positions. Brainstorm Solutions: Encourage exploration of compromises. Data & Evidence: Present facts objectively to guide the discussion. Remember: Your role is to facilitate a productive dialogue, not force a specific solution.

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2 Identify Goals

Once you've gained a deep understanding of the stakeholders' perspectives, the next step is to identify their core goals. Often, conflicts arise not from the end objectives but from the means of achieving them. By focusing on what each stakeholder ultimately wants to accomplish, you can begin to separate the non-negotiable aspects of their positions from those where they may be willing to compromise. This process helps to clarify the decision-making landscape and sets the stage for finding common ground.

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Luis Fernando Arjonilla Muñoz

Passionate Executive Hotel Sales & Distribution Leader
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In my opinion a peace making and cracking technique is actually to identify a common global goal for the entire organisation, that can be achieved by utilizing both stakeholders implementations or perspectives. A core goal of investing in F&b and another investing on infrastructure and product enhancement can help to achieve a common global goal to increase popularity index/strongest presence in the market overall.

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3 Explore Options

With clear goals outlined, you can now facilitate a brainstorming session to explore all possible options. Encourage creativity and openness by reminding stakeholders that all ideas are welcome at this stage. The key here is to foster a collaborative atmosphere where the focus shifts from individual desires to collective problem-solving. This can lead to innovative solutions that might satisfy both parties' core goals in ways they hadn't previously considered.

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4 Build Consensus

Building consensus is a delicate process that requires you to guide stakeholders toward agreement while ensuring that neither feels coerced. This might involve proposing a compromise or highlighting the benefits of a particular solution. Your role is to help stakeholders understand how reaching an agreement can be more advantageous than standing firm on opposing views. This often involves reframing the situation to show how collaboration can lead to better outcomes for both parties and the organization as a whole.

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5 Implement Decision

Once consensus is reached, it's crucial to put the decision into action promptly and effectively. This involves creating a clear plan with defined roles, responsibilities, and timelines. By doing so, you ensure that the agreed-upon solution is not just theoretical but is translated into concrete actions. This step also reinforces the stakeholders' commitment to the decision and can prevent any second-guessing or backtracking on the agreement.

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6 Follow Up

Finally, following up after the decision has been implemented is critical. This step allows you to monitor progress, address any unforeseen issues, and ensure that the resolution is having the intended effect. It also provides an opportunity to reinforce the positive outcomes of the stakeholders' collaboration, which can help build trust and improve relationships for future decisions. Regular follow-up demonstrates your ongoing commitment to the stakeholders and the organization's success.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Two senior stakeholders are at odds over a crucial decision. How can you help them find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen First

2 Identify Goals

3 Explore Options

4 Build Consensus

5 Implement Decision

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

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Two senior stakeholders are at odds over a crucial decision. How can you help them find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen First

2 Identify Goals

3 Explore Options

4 Build Consensus

5 Implement Decision

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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